xxvi INTEODUCTIOX. 



were all that were necessary to the local student. Towards the close of the work I have been 

 obliged to curtail the synonymy, even in its reduced form, and many Indian references have 

 been omitted which did not relate to notes of much interest on the species in question. 

 Mr. Ramsay's distribution list of Australian birds has been of much service to me as regards 

 Australian distribution ; but, owing to want of space, I have been unable to quote, except in one 

 or two instances, this important contribution to Australian ornithology. In respect to Ceylon 

 references, I have not quoted my paper on the " Distribution of the Birds in the Asiatic Society's 

 Museum," contained in the local journal for 1874, as it was printed in mistake during my 

 temporary absence from the island, and contained many errors in distribution, which, owing to 

 the result of subsequent experience, 1 had intended to correct. 



In regard to the local names for the birds of the island preference has been given to those 

 used in Asiatic and Malayan countries, and, in the case of Waders and Water-birds, Heuglin's 

 Egyptian names have been quoted. Sinhalese names have been supplied from Layard's catalogue 

 and from a list furnished me by Mr. Mac Vicar, of the Survey Office, as well as from information 

 obtained myself from the natives. This gentleman also supplied me with a list of Tamil and 

 Ceylon-Portuguese names, which I have used throughout the work. 



The measurements of specimens, with regard to which I have been particular, all relate to 

 Ceylonese specimens in the flesh, except when the contrary is stated (as in the case of Waders 

 and sea-birds particularly) in brackets. My system of wing-measurement, it is well to remark, 

 consisted in straightening the metacarpal joint by pressure in the hand, or on the table in the 

 case of large birds, and then measuring on the upperside of the wing. The dimensions attained 

 in this manner exceed those taken of dried specimens, when the metacarpal joint has stiffened 

 in the usual convex form, by from OT to - 3 of an inch. Contrary to the usage of most writers, 

 I have placed the measurements before the description, simply because it is in accordance with 

 the practice of field-naturalists to measure their specimens first. In the description of the 

 plumage I have endeavoured to follow a uniform system throughout : beginning with the head 

 and back, the wings and tail are then described, thus completing the upper surface ; the lores 

 and face are then mentioned, and ensuite the under surface, the under wing coming last. 



It is hoped that the figure of a bird which has been engraved to show the various portions 

 of the plumage in terms of scientific nomenclature will be of service to those who are not 

 ornithologists, should they have occasion to peruse the description of the plumage of any species 

 in which they may be interested. 



The observation (Obs.) on each species has been given for the benefit of the local student, in 

 order to furnish him with as much information as possible of allied species inhabiting India, and, 

 in fact, the entire Oriental Region. Many of my observations on kindred species and genera may 

 seem superfluous to the ornithologist in England, with numerous libraries at his command ; but it is 

 to be hoped that, as far as the naturalist in Ceylon is concerned, they will be of some use. 

 Likewise with a view of assisting the local student, an outline of the entire geographical 

 distribution of each species has been sketched out ; this matter, again, may seem, to European 

 readers, superfluous in a work of local nature. 



