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



devour the plunder; and this has been repeated again and again. 

 The above three species are constantly caged by the natives ; and 

 few native dwellings are without one or other of these favourite pets. 



Bill yellow above, black below; irides bufF; feet greyish. 



Ceylon, India. 



Note. — There is some doubt about the further range of this 

 species, a closely allied form, with yellow under wing-coverts, having 

 probably been confounded with it. 



65. Pal^eornis calthrop^e, Layard. 



Peculiar to Ceylon. It was first obtained by Layard at Kandy, 

 where it is frequently numerous ; and it is said to be generally dis- 

 tributed over the hills. Although recorded by Kelaart from Nu- 

 wara Eliya, I suspect this beautiful bird is only a rare visitor to that 

 cool region, as I have never seen a Parrot of any kind at that eleva- 

 tion, and I have always been on the look-out for this species in 

 particular. The colouring in the sexes is alike, except that in the 

 female the green on the side of the head is less distinct, and the bill 

 is black instead of red. 



Bill, Jred, $ black ; irides buff; feet slate. 



Ceylon. 



Note. — As some confusion has existed with regard to the correct 

 spelling of the specific name of this species, I may mention, on the 

 direct authority of Mr. Layard, that it was given from " Calthrop," 

 a family name. 



66. Lorictjlus indicus, Gmel. 



Peculiar to Ceylon. The history of this species has been fully 

 discussed in a paper by Lord "Walden (Ibis, 1867, p. 467), from 

 which it appears that, although Edwards first figured and described 

 the bird, it should stand as L. indicus, Gmel., according to the rules 

 of zoological nomenclature. The name is unfortunate, as it is cer- 

 tain that the species is not found out of Ceylon ; but it was not 

 known by the earlier writers from what part of the Dutch settle- 

 ments the bird described by Edwards was obtained. 



This little bird is common in many parts of the southern half of 

 Ceylon, and particularly quite in the south. It frequents cultivated 

 ground and large native gardens ; and I have sometimes seen it on 

 the cocoanut-trees busily biting off and apparently eating the chip- 

 like flowers. I believe it is confined to the low country. It is often 

 caged by the natives, and, like allied species, sleeps suspended from 

 the top of its cage by its strong curved claws. There is little differ- 

 ence in the colouring of the sexes ; but individuals vary a good deal 

 in the extent and brilliancy of the golden gloss on the back. 



Bill reddish orange above, orange below ; irides white ; feet dull 

 yellow. 



Ceylon. 



67. Picus mahrattensis, Latham. 



Common in the Aripo district, and, so far as I know, only found 



