SPILOENIS SPILOGASTER. 65 



in the continuous jungles of the south-eastern low country, parts of the " Park/' the Eastern Province, and the 

 entire northern half of the island. In all these districts it is chiefly to he found in the vicinity of village tanks 

 or on the banks of the forest-lined rivers. 



In the Western Province it is a scarcer bird, and is mostly confined to the wild country commencing 

 near Avisawella and stretching through Saffragam, and thence along both banks of the Kaluganga to the 

 maritime districts at jts mouth. In the hilly country between Galle and the Morowak Korale it is likewise 

 an uncommon bird, being now and then met with on the outskirts of damp paddy-land and on the banks of • 

 the Gindurah and other streams. As regards the Kandyan province, it is found generally throughout the 

 coffee-districts, extending even to the Nuwara-Elliya plateau ; but it is chiefly noticeable about Kadugunawa, 

 in parts of Dumbara and the Knuckles district, in Dolosbage, and thence into Ambegamoa. In Haputale it 

 is not uncommon, Mr. Bligh having procured many specimens in that district. It is found as near Colombo 

 as Atturugeria and Kaduwella ; but going northwards of the capital it is not very frequently met with until the 

 Maha Oya is passed and the drier districts near Kurunegala reached. 



Layard, who thought it to be migratory, remarks of its distribution, under the head of Hcematornis cheela, 

 "Abundantly and widely distributed throughout the island;" and in speaking of the immature phase (H. spilo- 

 g aster) says, " the Doctor " (Kelaart) " procured his specimen at Trincomalie, whilst I killed mine in the Vanni. 

 I afterwards shot another pair at Pt. Pedro." From his observations it appears that the species visits the 

 north (the Jaffna peninsula is probably meant) in March, and remains until July. It is very probable that a 

 partial movement to the peninsula does take place at that season, which led to the belief that the species was 

 migratory. 



Beyond the confines of Ceylon, this species reappears in the island of Sumatra and extends thence to the 

 Straits Settlements. It was first made known from Sumatra by Sir S. Raffles. 



Habits. — This small Eagle, whose serpent-destroying propensities make it a useful bird, is a denizen of 

 forest, frequenting the banks of streams and rivers and the borders of tanks, more especially the smaller class 

 known as the village " Kulam." Every such sheet of water possesses its pair of Snake-Eagles, which haunt the 

 heavy jungle and huge trees clothing the bunds or dams, and patiently watch throughout the day from some 

 huge outstretching limb for the various snakes and frogs which disport themselves from time to time on the 

 banks of the stagnant pool. On espying its prey, the yellow-eyed bird raises his massive topknot, and with 

 glistening orbs darts noiselessly down with dangling feet, and sweeping off the luckless reptile, mounts to the 

 nearest perch and there devours it, resuming there and then his patient watch. This sluggish existence is, 

 however, varied by a daily soar above his accustomed haunt, in the blaze of the noonday sun, when he mounts 

 to a great height in wide circles, and with loud screams proclaims his freedom and success. 



Equally at home by the sandy beds of the dried-up rivers in the northern and eastern forests, one of these 

 Eagles may be encountered, at every mile or so, during a ramble down these romantic watercourses. They 

 are invariably seated on the overhanging limb of an immense Kumbook tree, and when disturbed skim noise- 

 lessly on before the intruder and take up their post again on the nearest inviting perch. 



The last specimen of this Eagle procured by me in Ceylon fell to my gun at one of these riverine haunts 

 under rather interesting circumstances. It was about 4 o'clock on the evening of a scorching day in the 

 Seven Korales when I arrived at the banks of the dry course of the Kimbulana-Oya ; and leaving my jaded 

 bullocks to enjoy the welcome shade of the grand umbrageous trees overhanging the crossing-place, I started 

 for a tramp down the heavy sandy bed of the river. Here, as in most rivers in the north and east, which in 

 the wet season are mighty torrents, not a drop of water was now to be seen, save in some more than ordinary 

 deep holes under the denuded roots of the great trees which grow on the bank or in the hollows of the large 

 rock-masses which stood up here and there from the sandy bed. Above most of these tiny pools sat a solitary 

 Little Blue Kingfisher, eagerly eyeing the water, round the edge of which ran quietly one or two Green Sand- 

 pipers or a Common Snipe, reduced by scarcity of food to a rare degree of tameness. On rounding one of 

 the rocky barriers a huge Owl glided noiselessly from the branches of an overhanging tree, and immediately 

 fell to my first barrel with a broken wing. As the wounded bird waddled off a Serpent-Eagle, evidently taken 

 aback at the sight of his companion trailing his wing along the sand, swooped down on him, doubtless out of 

 mere curiosity, and quickly followed him to ground with a fractured pinion. This brought the Owl to a sudden 



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