Cuar. VOI] 
LIST OF CEYLON BIRDS. 
269 
NOTE. 
The following is a list of the birds which are, as far as is at 
present known, peculiar to the island; it will probably be 
determined at some future day that some included in it have 
a wider geographical range. 
Hematornis spilogaster. The ‘ Ceylon 
eagle ; ” was discovered by Mr. Layard 
in the Wanny, and by Dr. Kelaart at 
Trincomalie. 
Athene castonotus. The chestnut.winged 
hawk owl. This pretty little ow} was 
added to the list of Ceylon birds by Dr. 
Templeton. Mr. Blyth is at present of 
opinion that this bird is identical with 
Ath. Castanopterus, Horsf. of Java as 
tigured by Temminck: P. Col. 
Batrachostomus moniliger. The oil bird; 
was discovered amongst the precipitous 
rocks of the Adam’s Peak range by Mr. 
Layard, Another specimen was sent 
about the same time to Sir James Emer- 
son Tennent from Avisavelle. Mr. Mit- 
ford has met with it at Ratnapoora. 
Caprimulgus Kelaarti. Kelaart’s night- 
jar; swarms on the marshy plains of 
Neuera-ellia at dusk. 
Hirundo hyperythra. The red-bellied 
swallow ; was discovered in 1849, by Mr. 
Layard at Ambepusse. They build a 
globular nest, with a round hole at top 
A pair built in the ring for a hanging 
lamp in Dr. Gardner’s study at Pera- 
denia, and hatched their young, un- 
disturbed by the daily trimming and 
lighting of the lamp. 
Cisticola omalura. Layard’s mountain 
grass warbler ; is found in abundance on 
Horton Plain and Neuera-ellia, among 
the long Patena grass. 
Drymoica valida. Layard’s wren-war- 
bler ; frequents tufts of grass and low 
bushes, feeding on insects, 
Pratincola atrata. The Neuera-ellia 
robin ; a melodious songster ; added to 
our catalogue by Dr. Kelaart. 
Brachypteryx Palliseri. Ant thrush. A 
rare bird, added by Dr. Kelaart from 
Dimboola and Neuera-ellia, 
Pellorneum fuscocapillam, Mr. Layard 
found two specimens of this rare thrush 
creeping about shrubs and bushes, 
feeding on insects. 
Alcippe nigrifrons. This thrush frequents 
low impenetrable thickets, and seems 
to he widely distributed. 
Oreocincla spiloptera. The spotted thrush 
is only found in the mountain zone about 
lofty trees. 
Merula Kinnisii. The Neuera-ellia black- 
bird; was added by Dr. Kelaart. 
Garrulax cinereifrons. The ashy-headed 
babbler; was found by Mr. Layard near 
Ratnapoora. 
Pomatorhinus melanurus, Mr. Layard 
states that the mountain babbler fre- 
queuts low, scraggy, impenetrable brush, 
along the margins of deserted cheena 
land. This may turn out to be little 
more than a local yet striking variety of 
P. Horsfieldii of the Indian Peninsula. 
Malacocercus rufescens. The red dung 
thrush added by Dr. Templeton to the 
Singhalese Fauna, is found in thick 
jungle in the southern and midjand 
districts. 
Pycnonotus penicillatus. The yellow- 
eared bulbnl ; was found by Dr. Kelaart 
at Neuera-ellia. 
Butalis Muttui. This very handsome 
flycatcher was procured at Point Pedro, 
by Mr. Layard. 
Dicrurus edoliformis. Dr. Templeton 
found this kingcrow at the Bibloo Oya. 
Mr. Layard has since got it at Ambo- 
gammoa. 
Dicrurus leucopygialis. The Ceylon 
kKingcrow was sent to Mr. Blyth from 
the vicinity of Colombo, by Dr. Tem- 
Picton. A species very closely allied to 
. ccerulescens of the Indian continent. 
Tepbrodornis  affinis. © The Ceylon 
butcher-bird. A migatory species found 
in the wooded grass lands in Octoher. 
Cissa puella. Layard’s mountain jay. A 
most lovely bird, found along mountain 
streams at Neuera-ellia and elsewhere. 
Eulabes ptilogenys. Templeton’s mynah. 
The largest and most beautiful of the 
species. It is found in flocks perching 
on the highest trees, feeding on berries. 
Munia Kelaarti. This Grosbeak previ- 
ously assumed to be M. pectoralis of 
Jerdon; is most probably peculiar to 
. Ceylon . - 
.oriculus asiaticus. The small parr 
abundant in various districts.” os 
Paleornis Calthrope. Layard’s purple- 
headed parroquet, found at Kandy, is a 
very handsome bird, flying in flocks, and 
resting on the summits of the ve 
highest trees. Dr. Kelaart states that 
it is the only parroquet of the Neuera- 
ellia range. 
Megalaima flavifrons. The yellow-headed 
rie aa is not uncommon, 
egalaima rubricapilla, is found i 
parts of the island, rans 
