1872.] MR. E. W. H. HOLDSWORTH ON CEYLONESE BIRDS. 475 



hills. I have seen it as high as Nuwara Eliya in February. It is 

 probably resident in Ceylon. 



254. Totanus glottis, Linn. 



255. Totanus stagnatilis, Bechst. 



Both very common at Aripo, and generally so in the low country. 



256. Totanus fuscus, Linn. 



257. Totanus calidris, Linn. 



These species were considered common by Layard ; but I have not 

 seen them. 



258. Himantopus autumnalis, Hass. 

 Himantopus candidus, Bonn. 



Not uncommon at Aripo during the rains. 



259. Recurvirostra avocetta, Linn. 



Two of these birds, killed near Jaffna, are recorded by Layard. 

 Almost all these small Waders are, I believe, winter visitors to 

 Ceylon after breeding in Northern Europe or Asia. 



260. Hydrophasianus chirurgus, Scop. 



Very common in the neighbourhood of Colombo. Beautiful spe- 

 cimens in varions states of plumage are sometimes brought in for sale 

 by the Singhalese, who walk through the flooded marshes and wait 

 patiently, with the water often above their waists, till they can make 

 sure of a successful shot. I have not seen this bird in the north ; 

 but, as Layard mentions, it may be sometimes observed walking on 

 the lotus-leaves in the lake at Colombo. 



Bill bluish, tip green ; irides red-brown ; feet leaden. 



Ceylon, India, China. 



261. PORPHYRIO POLIOCEPHALUS, Lath. 



Common in suitable situations, but shy and fond of concealment. 

 They are numerous in the neighbourhood of Colombo. 

 Ceylon, India. 



262. Gallicrex cristatus, Lath. 



This bird is also common about Colombo and in marshes in the 

 south. 



Ceylon, parts of India, Burmah, Malaya, China. 



263. Gallinula chloropus, Linn. 



Layard met with one specimen of this bird in the north ; but I 

 have not heard of any others, although it appears to be general in 

 India. 



Europe, Asia, Africa. 



