304 CEYX TKIDACTYLA. 



Ceyx solitaria, Temm. PL Col. 595 ; Sharpe, Mon. Alced. pi. 38. New Guinea and adjacent isles. 



Back rich ultramarine: the head, tail, and wings chiefly black ; bill black. Wing 2-]. 

 Ceyx cajeli, Wall. P. Z. S. 1863, p. 25, pi. v.; Sharpe, Mon. Alced. pi. 44. Bouru Island. 



( Ihiefly black above, with the back and rump silvery blue ; head and wing-coverts spotted with silvery blue. Wing 2*5. 

 Ceyx wallaeei, Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1868, p. 270 ; id. Mon. Alced. pi. 45. Sula Islands. 



A large species, chiefly black above, with the back very rich shining cobalt: distinguished by its black scapulars from 

 the next. Wing 2-5. 

 Ceyx lepida, Temm. PI. Col. 595 ; Sharpe, Mon. Alced. pi. 46. Ceram. Amboina, south-west coast of New Guinea. 

 Likewise a large species. Chief characteristics of upper plumage black, spotted with rich ultramarine on the head 

 and hind neck : back "rich ultramarine."' Wing 2 # 5. 



ipygialis, Gray, P. Z. S. 1800, p. 348 : Sharpe, Mon. Alced. pi. 47. 

 Smaller than the above. Upper surface chiefly black, spotted minutely and striped with ultramarine on the head : 

 back ultramarine ; rump silvery blue. Wing 2-1. 

 ' >\r melanura, Kaup ; Sharpe, Mon. Alced. pi. 39. Philippine Islands. 



Above chiefly lilac-rufous, with a patch of feathers on each side of the neck blue, under which is another white patch; 

 head spotted with lilac-blue. Wing 2-1. 

 Ceyx philippinensis, Gould, P. Z. S. 1S(>8, p. 404 ; Sharpe, Mon. Alced. pi. 37. Philippine Islands. 

 Chiefly indigo-blue above, banded with light cobalt on the head and face ; under surface deep rufous. Resembles the 

 Indian Kingfisher somewhat in general appearance. Wing 2-3. 



Distribution. — This diminutive and beautiful little Kingfisher is the rarest of the indigenous species of 

 the family in Ceylon, occurring here and therein localities few and far between throughout the low country, 

 and inhabiting the upland valley of the Mahawelliganga and its affluents to an elevation of about 2000 feet. I 

 have procured it in forest on the Trincomalie and Anara.djaprj.ra road, near Kanthelai tank, and at Devilaue in 

 the Friars-Hood district. In 1875, while residing at Ilurelle tank, Mr. Cotteril, C.E.,met with a little flock of 

 tour, and it has been seen in the Mullaittivu district. Layard speaks of meeting with it at Galle, Trincomalie, 

 Anaradjapura, Matale, Puttalam, and Ratnapura. I closely scrutinized the rocky streams and rivers during two 

 years' wanderings in the jungles of the south-west, but never saw it, nor did I ever encounter it in any of the 

 humid districts of the island, and am therefore convinced that it is chiefly to be found in the dry portions 

 only. It is not uncommon in Dumbara ; but is chiefly located, I imagine, down the valley, from Kandy 

 towards the bend of the Mahawelliganga. Mr. Holdsworth " at various times obtained three specimens, which 

 were killed in the central district;" and it has been described to me (whether correctly identified or not I 

 cannot say) as inhabiting the tributaries of the Kelani in Lower Dickoya. 



It is scattered all over India, but nowhere, says Jerdon, common. He procured it in the south of India, and 

 remarks that it seems to be a coast-bird for the most part. Col. Sykes got it in the Deccan ; but Mr. Fairbank 

 does not appear to have met with it in that part. In the north-west of India it has not, that I am aware of, 

 ever been found, its distribution being decidedly eastern. Mr. Ball does not even record it from Chota 

 Xagpur or the Satpura jungles, and we next find it in the Sikhim Terai, and thence eastward in Cachar and 

 Burmah. In Pegu Mr. Oates only found it on the eastern slope of the Pegu-Yama hills, where the country 

 is covered with evergreen forest, in the deep-wooded nullahs of which it was not uncommon. In Northern 

 Tenasserim Mr. Davison found it between Tavoy and Mceta Myo, at Karope, and near Ye. In the peninsula 

 and the island of Pinang it is well known, and it has been procured at Boss Island, Andamans, and at Kondul, 

 a small islet adjoining the Great Nieobar Island. It has been found in Java and Sumatra and some of the 

 [ndo-Malayan Islands, and Mr. Sharpe instances it as having been procured in the Philippines; but the last- 

 named locality requires confirmation. 



Habits. — The Three-toed Kingfisher, which is the loveliest of all Ceylon birds, is a shy and usually solitary 

 species, delighting in the gloom of the forest, where it frequents the edges of tiny brooks and damp or swampy 

 *pots containing small water-holes, subsisting on diminutive fish and small aqueous insects. It is so small 

 that it is next to impossible for the collector, however keen-eyed he be, to detect it on its little perch before it 

 is alarmed and takes wing with a shrill piping note, glancing instantaneously round the nearest tree to a 

 place of safety. It is consequently very difficult to procure ; but in the evening, just as darkness is setting in 

 and the jungle becomes gradually enshrouded in gloom, it becomes restless and noisy, continuing to whistle 



