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



question of identity, and has restored to it Pearson's original name 

 of gurial (1841), by which it should be known. 



I have seen skins of this species, but have not met with the bird 

 alive. Layard speaks of its frequent occurrence on the east side of 

 Ceylon, and also of its being found about Caltura, on the west coast. 

 The latter locality is, I have heard, a good one for this bird ; and I 

 have reason to think it is also sometimes met with on the lower 

 hills. 



Bill red ; hides brown ; feet dull red. 



Ceylon, India eastward. 



55. Halcyon smyrnensis, Linn. 



H. fusca, Bodd., is now admitted as identical with the old Liu- 

 nean H. smyrnensis. In Ceylon this Kingfisher is abundant in the 

 low country wherever there is water, frequenting alike the neigh- 

 bourhood of paddy-fields and the banks of rivers. It is perhaps less 

 numerous in the north than elsewhere, but it was not uncommon at 

 Aripo. Ceylonese specimens are generally more brightly coloured 

 than those from other countries. 



Bill deep red ; hides brown ; feet vermilion. 



Ceylon, India to China, Asia Minor. 



56. Halcyon pileata, Bodd. 



Recorded by Layard, under H. atricapilla, Gmel., as having 

 been killed by him in the north of the island. It appears to be an 

 eastern species, and rare both in India and Ceylon. 



Ceylon, India, Burmah, Malaya, China. 



57. Ceyx tridactylus, Pall. 



Widely distributed in Ceylon, but nowhere common, and only to 

 be procured with difficulty. I have never seen the bird alive, but 

 at various times obtained three specimens, which were killed in the 

 central district. 



Bill coral-red ; irides brown ; feet red. 



Ceylon, India, Malaya. 



58. Alcedo bengalensis, Gmel. 



Common everywhere in Ceylon. It is always to be found at 

 Nuwara Eliya, as well as in all parts of the low country. 



Bill reddish, with the upper part dusky ; irides brown ; feet 

 coral- red. 



Ceylon, India to China, Malaya. 



59. Ceryle rudis, Linn. 



This is a common species, frequenting rivers more than tanks or 

 paddy-fields. I have frequently met with it at Aripo ; and it is 

 particularly abundant on the southern rivers. 



Bill black ; irides brown ; feet brown. 



Ceylon, India to S. China, Malaya, W. Asia, S. Europe, Africa. 



