18/2.] MR. E.W. H. HOLDSWORTH ON CEYLONESE BIRDS. 419 



commonly nesting in the verandas at Nuwara Eliya and in the 

 district. 



Ceylon, Neilgherries, Malaya. 



36. ?Hirundo daurica, Linn. 



Layard records having obtained a single specimen at Point Pedro. 

 It is more probable, however, that this bird was H. erythropygia, 

 Sykes, the S. Indiau species, which had not at that time been distin- 

 guished from H. daurica, a northern bird and having a wide range 

 to the eastward. They both have the under plumage streaked. 



Ceylon, S. India. 



37. Hirundo hyperythra, Layard. 



This Swallow was discovered by Layard in ] 849, and until re- 

 cently was considered peculiar to Ceylon ; but I have seen a spe- 

 cimen lately received by Lord Walden from Malacca, and it has 

 been otherwise recorded from that country. It is abundant in the 

 central and, at times, in the western and southern districts of the 

 island, both in the low country and on the lower hills ; but I have 

 not observed it at Nuwara Eliya or in the north. Its distinguishing 

 character consists in the whole of the underparts being deep chestnut. 



Bill black ; irides brown ; feet black. 



Ceylon, Malacca. 



38. Acanthylis gigantea, Temm. 



This bird is said to be well known at Nuwara Eliya ; and Layard 

 mentions hearing of the native report that it breeds in hollow rhodo- 

 dendron trees ; but there is probably some mistake, as I could hardly 

 have failed to notice the bird under such circumstances. I have 

 only seen it from the coffee-districts ; and although specimens have 

 undoubtedly been obtained at Nuwara Eliya, I expect it will be 

 found to be only an occasional visitor there. 



Ceylon, S. India, parts of Malaya. 



39. Cypseltjs melba, Linn. 



Probably a winter visitor to Ceylon. It is found in some abun- 

 dance on the hills at that season, but is rather local in its distribution. 

 I have seen it at Nuwara Eliya in the cold season ; and it remains 

 there several months, particularly frequenting some precipitous cliffs 

 overlooking the plain on which the little town is built. In the 

 afternoon fifty or sixty of these birds might any day be seen on the 

 wing dashing past the hill-sides in pursuit of insects, or sweeping in 

 wider circles at a considerable elevation. 



Hill-regions in Ceylon, India, W. Asia, Africa, Europe. 



40. Cypseltjs affinis, Gray. 



Layard speaks of this bird as migratory, and breeding in April in 

 large numbers about the rocks at Damboul. I have also found it 

 nesting, but in August, under the rocks overhanging the entrance 

 to the famous temple at Damboul ; and as it breeds in Ceylon during 



