1872.] MR. E.W. H. HOLDSWORTH ON CEYLONESE HIRDS. 437 



104. Tephrodornis pondiceriana, Gmel. 



A careful comparison of a series of T. affinis, Bl., from Ceylon, 

 with a number of T. pondiceriana from India, has satisfied me that 

 there is not sufficient ground for separating them specifically. The 

 Ceylon birds appear to be smaller ; but the depth of the general 

 ashy brown of the upper surface varies in both, and to much the 

 same extent. The supercilium also varies in distinctness in the 

 birds from the two countries, but in those from India the maximum 

 development is perhaps greater than in specimens from Ceylon. 



These birds are common in the north and west of the island 

 during the winter months, and probably migrate from the eastern 

 side. They breed early in the year ; and the young birds in then- 

 spotted plumage have been procured by Mr. Legge, in April, from 

 the cinnamon-gardens at Colombo. Birds of the year are paler 

 than in the following season. This may not have been known to Mr. 

 Blyth when he described the Ceylon species as greyer than those 

 from India. 



Bill dusky ; irides dull yellow ; feet dusky lead-colour. 



Ceylon, India, Assam, Upper Burmah. 



105. Hemiptjs picattjs, Sykes. 



This bird is rare in the low country, and seems to be chiefly 

 found on the upper hills. It is a common bird at Nuwara Eliya 

 throughout the year, frequenting high bush jungle or low trees. 

 Young birds have the colours less decided than adults. 



Bill black ; irides yellow ; feet black, 



Ceylon, S. India. 



106. Volvocivora sykesii, Strickl. 



Generally distributed over the low country ; it is resident in the 

 Aripo district, and I have found it common near Colombo and in 

 the extreme south. Although I have shot a great many of these 

 birds, I have never obtained a female with any other than the 

 barred under plumage and the grey head, and I cannot confirm 

 Blyth' s statement that the adult female has a black head and neck 

 as "in the male. The black in the young male first appears in spots 

 on the top and sides of the head. 



Bill black ; irides brown ; feet black. 



Ceylon, India. 



107. Graucalus layardi, Blyth. 

 Graucalus pusillus, Bl. 



A smaller bird than the N. Indian G. macei, Less., with which it 

 has been confounded. It differs also (Jerdon, 'Ibis,' 1872, p. 117) 

 in having the under wing-coverts strongly barred, the abdominal bars 

 absent in the adult male, and the outer tail-feathers only slightly 

 tipped with white. 



I have not seen this species alive ; but it is occasionally found in 



