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



These eight species are all recorded hy Layard ; and 8. melano- 

 notus was first obtained in Ceylon. The only one commonly dis- 

 tributed throughout the island is D. javanica ; it breeds in many 

 localities, and is known among Europeans as the " Teal." A. coro- 

 mandeliana is tolerably numerous in the north and east, and, I am 

 told, breeds near Battacaloa ; it is sometimes found near Colombo. 

 The others are mostly found in the north, where, according to 

 Layard, Q. crecca and circia are very abundant in winter. Layard 

 also mentions having seen on several occasions, through a telescope, 

 what he believed to be Branta rufina, Pall. ; but that species has 

 not been yet identified from Ceylon. 



301. Podiceps philippensis, Bonn. 



Very common on all large pieces of water, and often associated in 

 flocks. I have counted thirty-eight together on the Colombo lake. 



Bill black, tip white, base of lower mandible dull green ; irides 

 dark yellow ; legs and feet blackish green in front, black below 

 ($ killed in July). 



Ceylon, India, China, Formosa, Hainan. 



302. Thalassidroma ? 



A species of Stormy Petrel is often seen in Colombo harbour and 

 on the west coast in the bad weather during the south-west mon- 

 soon, but no specimen of it has yet been obtained ; it has appeared 

 to me to be entirely black, with the exception of the white rump. 



303. Croicocephaltjs ichthyaetus, Pall. 



Layard mentions having seen a pair of these birds at Pt. Pedro 

 after a severe storm. It appears to be only occasionally seen on the 

 Indian coast. 



304. Xema brunnicephala, Jerdon. 



This is the only true Gull commonly found in Ceylon. It is very 

 abundant in the north, and is seen at times on all parts of the coast. 

 Ceylon, India, Pekin ? 



305. Sylochelidon caspia, Lath. 



306. Gelochelidon anglica, Montagu. 



307- Hydrochelidon leucopareia, Natt. 



Hydrochelidon indica, Stephens. 



These species I have found common in Ceylon, and I have no 

 doubt of their being resident there. S. caspia may be seen at all 

 times of* the year, almost invariably in pairs, flying along the shore 

 just outside the line of beach. I have shot G. anglica in April, 

 July, and December, but have not met with one in the full breeding- 

 plumage. 



308. Seena aurantia, Gray. 



Said by Layard to be common. I have not actually identified 



