460 MR. E. W. H. HOLDSWORTH ON CEYLONESE BIRDS. [Mar. 5, 



mention them in my account of Z. ceylonensis for the purpose of 

 showing the difference between the hill species of the two countries. 



I believe Dr. Jerdon is under the impression that he has seen Z. 

 ceylonensis in India ; but he has no record of it. 



Z. ceylonensis differs somewhat in habits from Z. palpebrosus. 

 It frequents hedges and bush-jungle rather than trees, clinging Tit- 

 like to the stems, and often covering its forehead with pollen from 

 the flowers which it busily examines for insects. As these birds 

 are very common and constantly flying in small parties from bush to 

 bush, uttering their lively chirp, they attract attention ; and the little 

 " White-eye" is familiar to most Europeans who visit Nuwara Eliya. 

 In the winter the males associate in flocks of fifteen or twenty ; and 

 it is then rare to find a female in their company. I believe the latter 

 are for the time solitary, as, with one exception, the numerous spe- 

 cimens I have shot from different flocks have proved to be males. 

 The breeding-season is probably about April or May ; but I have 

 been unable to obtain any particulars of their nesting. 



The distinction between the two species of Zosterops found in 

 Ceylon will be readily seen on reference to Plate XX. 



182. Parus cinereus, Vieill. 



Very abundant at Nuwara Eliya and on the upper hills at all 

 seasons, and found occasionally on the western coast, around Colombo 

 and not far from Galle. Layard says it is " not uncommon through- 

 out the island," but I have never seen it in the Aripo district or in 

 the extreme south. Like many hill birds it is often met with near 

 Kandy ; but I expect its appearance about Colombo and in some other 

 parts of the low country is exceptional, as when found there it is by 

 no means numerous. It has the usual habits of the Titmouse family. 



Bill black ; irides black ; feet leaden. 



Ceylon, India (except Bengal), Malaya. 



183. CORVUS LEVAILLANTI, LeSS. 



Corvus cuhninatus, Sykes. 



General in the low country, and especially frequenting native vil- 

 lages and the more uncultivated districts in the interior. It is rare 

 at Colombo compared with C. splendens, and was not so numerous as 

 that species at Aripo. I believe Crows are unknown on the upper 

 hills ; but I have heard of their having been occasionally seen for a 

 a day or two on coffee-estates 3000 or 4000 feet high. 



Bill black ; irides dark brown ; feet black. 



Ceylon, India to the Malay peninsula. 



184. Corvus splendens, Vieill. 



This well-known bird is much more numerous on the coast gener- 

 ally than inland, and is found in great abundance in all the large 

 towns, but is not met with in native villages so much as the last spe- 

 cies. It was common at Aripo ; and at Colombo it is very abundant, 

 not confining itself to the shore, but boarding the vessels as soon as 



