INTRODUCTION. 



The island of Ceylon, although it contains none of those remarkable forms which characterize 

 the birds of some of the Malay islands, undoubtedly possesses a rich avifauna ; and, considering 

 its geographical area (about five sixths that of Ireland), the number of species is very large. The 

 tropical position of Ceylon, coupled with its location in the path of the monsoon winds and rains, 

 fosters the growth of luxuriant vegetation and verdant forests, which, as a matter of course, teem 

 with all that wonderful insect-life necessary for the sustenance of birds, and hence the large number 

 of resident species inhabiting it ; whilst the fact of its being situated at the extreme south of an 

 immense peninsula makes it the finishing point of the stream of Waders and Water-birds which 

 annually pass down the coasts of India ; and, lastly, the prevalence of a northerly wind at the 

 time of the migration of weak-flying Warblers brings these little birds in numbers to its shores. 



The abundance of the commoner species inhabiting the cultivated country near the towns 

 on the west coast, and the semicultivated interior traversed by the railway and the highroads 

 leading to the principal towns, at once strikes the traveller on his arrival in the island ; and the 

 wonderful variety of bird-sounds heard during the course of a morning stroll, though they cannot 

 vie in sweetness with the notes of the denizens of English groves, are, notwithstanding, quite as 

 attractive. The laughing voice of the larger Kingfishers, the extraordinary booming call of the 

 "Jungle-Crows" {Centropus rujipennis and C. clilororhynchus), and the energetic shouts of the 

 Barbets when first heard fill the European traveller with astonishment, and more than compensate 

 for the absence of the mellifluous voice of the Thrush and Blackbird. 



As regards brilliancy of plumage, when we consider the tropical nature of their abode, the 

 birds of Ceylon are decidedly mediocral. We find but little of that conspicuous beauty which 

 characterizes the avifauna of many of the islands of the Austro-Malayan region, or even some of 

 the birds of the Himalayas, nor do we meet with the gorgeous plumage of those of tropical 

 America, or even the handsome dress worn by so many of the feathered inhabitants of African 

 forests. When the naturalist has made the acquaintance of the Sun-birds, Pittas, and King- 

 fishers there is not very much left in the way of brilliant plumage to attract him. Notwith- 

 standing, many species are conspicuous for grace and elegance of form combined with an attractive 

 coloration; and if we except the above-mentioned families, the peculiar birds of the island 

 number among their ranks some of the most beautiful species inhabiting it. 



Before proceeding to the consideration of the ornithological features of the island, it will be 

 well to notice briefly the labours of those naturalists who have heretofore interested themselves 

 in the birds of Ceylon. 



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