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



not by the very rich purple gloss over the anterior portion of its 

 plumage. 



Bill pale green ; irides red ; feet black. 



Ceylon. 



94. Nectarophila zeylonica, Linn. 



Common in the low country. I have frequently seen it in the 

 gardens at Colombo ; but have not met with it at Aripo. Layard 

 speaks of it as abundant in the soutbern and midland districts. 



Ceylon, India. 



9o. Nectarophila minima, Sykes. 



I do not remember seeing this bird in the Aripo district, although 

 Layard states that it is common in the north of the island. It is 

 occasionally seen at Colombo. 



Ceylon, S. India. 



96. Arachnechthra asiatica, Latham. 



This species was very common at Aripo, and was found there at 

 all seasons. I have also seen it in the south. At a Government 

 rest-house in the extreme south of the island, where I was staying 

 in August 1869, a pair of these birds had a nest in the veranda ; it 

 was fastened to the end of an iron rod hanging from the roof and 

 once used for suspending a lamp. The birds showed very little fear, 

 although I was for several days sitting within a few feet of the nest, 

 engaged in the preparation of specimens. I have obtained this 

 species at Nuwara Eliya in October. 



Bill black ; irides red-brown ; feet black. 



Ceylon, India, N. Burmah. 



97. Arachnechthra lotenia, Linn. 



This is a very common species at Colombo, and is said by Layard 

 to be plentiful in the southern and midland districts. I have no note 

 of its occurrence at Aripo. Some specimens have the bill very much 

 curved. 



Bill black ; irides brown ; feet black. 



Ceylon, S. India. 



98. Dictum minimum, Tickell. 



I have procured this little bird in all parts of the island ; and spe- 

 cimens obtained at Nuwara Eliya were precisely the same as those 

 from Aripo and elsewhere. 



Bill flesh-colour ; irides brown ; feet fleshy brown. 



Ceylon, India, Burmah. 



99. Piprisoma agile, Tickell. 



Layard records having obtained a pair of these birds on the Central 

 road. 



Ceylon, India. 



