xviii INTRODUCTION. 



and covered with bamboo-cheena in others ; the valleys, constantly rained on during the south- 

 west monsoon, and likewise receiving a heavy downfall in the north-east monsoon, are the dampest 

 spots in the island, and harbour numbers of Timaliidse (Malacocercus rufescens, Garrulax cinerei- 

 frons, Alcippe nigrifrons, Pellorneum fuscicapillum), also Brachypodidse [Hypsipetes gcmeesa, 

 Criniger ictericus, Bubigula melanictera). The cultivated districts are conspicuous for the 

 numbers of the common Bulbuls, Barbets, Doves (Turtur suratensis), smaller TimnYridvs (Cisticola, 

 Prinia, Prymceca, &c.), as well as some numbers of the Heron family, which are seen about the 

 paddy-fields. A considerable portion of the uncultivated soil in the Western Province and also 

 in the lower hills is overgrown with a dense bramble (Lantana mixta), popularly known as 

 " Lady Horton's wood," and which was introduced (unfortunately) into the island about the year 

 1830. It thrives on gravelly soil, and especially on land which has once been cultivated, 

 sometimes clothing more than an acre without a single break. The fruit of this pest is eagerly 

 sought after by many birds, particularly Bulbuls (Rubigula, Pycuonotus, Ixos) ; and to this fact 

 the wonderful manner in which it has been propagated is due. The damp, heavy forests of the 

 Adam's-Peak range descend continuously into the low country of Saffragam, and through them 

 several true hill species {Eulabes ptilogenys, Palceornis calthropce, Garrulax cinereifrons) range 

 to a lower level than anywhere else, being quite common in portions of the Kuruwite and Three 

 Korales. 



We now come to the consideration of the fourth ornithological district, the lofty hills of the 

 Southern Province, rising up on the north of the valley of Saffragam, of which Ratnapura is the 

 chief town. The first-named region is entirely occupied by a group of high mountains and 

 elevated valleys, forming a perfect mountain-zone, inside of the base of which there is scarcely 

 any land of less elevation than 1500 or 1700 feet. This lofty district culminates in the high 

 Pedrotallagala range (8200 feet), just on the north of the plain of Nuwara Eliya, from which 

 extends an elevated plateau, intersected by forest-clad ridges, and dotted here and there with the 

 curious natural fields called patnas, for some 20 miles south to the Horton plains (7000 feet), whence 

 the lofty Haputale range stretches to the east and the Adam's-Peak range round to the west as far 

 north as the Four Korales, the slopes of both dropping at once into the low country. The 

 coffee-districts of Dimbula and Dickoya are enclosed by the latter on the east of the Nuwara- 

 Eliya plateau, each with its dividing range ; while the Uva patna-basin (a curious tract of grass- 

 covered or patna-hills) forms its eastern flank, and slopes out into the Bintenne country through the 

 valley of Badulla, being bounded on the extreme east by the lofty ridges of Madulsima. On the north 

 of the Pedro mountain high ranges jut out towards the upland valley of Dumbara, beyond which 

 the Knuckles and Ambokka ranges, running on each side to the north-west and north respectively, 

 complete the Kandyan mountain-system. The southern hill-ranges bound the south side of 

 Saffragam, and are comprised of the Kukkul, Morowak, and Kolonna Korales, the highest point 

 being Gongalla, a little over 4400 feet in altitude. Of late years the forest has been felled for 

 the planting of coffee, as in the Central Province ; but there are still large tracts of forest in the 

 Kukkul Korale in which Central-Province birds (Cissa ornata, Eulabes ptilogenys, Sturnornis senex, 



