BIRDS COLLECTED IN CHINA, ETC. 243 



HALCYON COEOMANDA, (Latham.) 



Alcedo coromanda, Lath. Ind. Orn. I, p. 252, (1790.) 



Halcyon lilacina, Swains. Cab. Cy. Birds II, p. 335, (1837.) 



Temm. & Schleg. Faun. Jap. Aves, pi. 39. 



Another beautiful kingfisher, a fine specimen of which, in the present collection, is from 

 Singapore. 



Mr. Heine's note on this species is : " From the river Padang, in the island of Singapore. I 

 had only broken his wing, and had to chase him for some time. When I finally captured him 

 he raised a fierce cry, and defended himself quite gallantly." 



MEROPS PHILIPPINUS, Linmeus. 



Merops phillipinus, Linn. Syst. Nat. I, p. 183, (1766.) 



Merops javanious, Horsfield, Trans. Linn. Soc. London XIII, p. 171, (1822.) 



Merops Daudini, Cuvier Keg. An. I, p. 442, (1829.) 



Le Vaill. Hist. Nat. Guepiers, pi. 14. 



Specimens from Pointe de Galle, Ceylon. 



Mr. Heine's note is as follows : "This bird abounds in wet and swampy grounds in the 

 vicinity of Pointe de Galle, Ceylon. Sometimes, when sitting and partially concealed, it would 

 not start until very nearly approached. It flies with a long, swift stretch of wing, and usually 

 alights again at a short distance. It is easy enough to shoot, but more difficult to get after- 

 wards without a dog, as, falling in the long grass of the swamps, it is easily lost, on account of 

 its green color ; and when it falls in a rice field it is impossible to approach without sinking 

 ankle deep in the mud. Some little boys who followed me the whole day jumped eagerly into 

 the mud to fetch the specimens of this bird, which are now in the collection of the Expedition." 



CINNYEIS ZEYLON1CA, (Linnteus.) 



Certhxa. zeylonica, Linn. Syst. Nat. I, p. 188, (1766.) 

 Vieill. Ois. dor. pi. 16, 17. 

 From Pointe de Galle, Ceylon. 



3. OBDEE EASOEES.— The Gallinaceous Birds. 



TEEEON VEENANS, (Linn.) 



Columba vernans, Linn. Mantiss, p. 525, (1771.) 



Columba purpurea, Gm. Syst. Nat. II, p. 784, (1788.) 



Columba viridis, Scopoli Flor. et Faun. Insub., p. 94, (1736.) 



Buff. PI. Enl. 138. Temminck and Knip's Pigeons, pi. 10. 



Specimens of this fine bird are from Singapore. 



In Mr. Heine's notes we find the following in relation to the present species : 



" This beautiful dove was to be found in considerable numbers in the island of Singapore and 

 the surrounding islands. They were to be seen usually in the morning and evening in the 

 upper branches of trees in the woods, and could be shot quite easily. Their skins were exceed- 

 ingly tender and difficult to prepare." 



