NO. 29. — 1884.] BALANGODA ORNITHOLOGY. 



277 



15th May, 2 p.m.: dry 7°, wet 72°, dew point 69-8°, 

 humidity 84 ; 



At the break of the north-east — 



14th October, 9 a.m.: dry 84°, wet 74°, dew point 68-6°, 

 humidity 64. 



14th October, 2 p.m.: dry 84°, wet 74°, dew point 67-4°, 

 humidity 57. 



At 1,700 feet the average temperature stands at about 

 80°, and 10° less at 2,000 higher. 



Space does not permit of my saying more than a very 

 few words regarding soil. One of the most curious facts 

 claiming attention, however, is the presence of cabook, 

 which crops out in many places. A sandy quartz appears 

 at the foot of both ranges of hills, and a strata of large, 

 white, boulder quartz lies along in an east and west direc- 

 tion between the villages of Bulatgama and Rasagala. 

 Precious stones have been found in many places, and 

 Bambarabotuwa is now sufficiently famous to need no 

 further remarks on this head. 



Plumbago, mica, and kirimeita also appear in various 

 places throughout the district, but not in any very large 

 quantities. The flat valleys also afford clay in sufficient 

 quantity to enable the natives to manufacture bricks and 

 tiles, tiled native houses being by no means uncommon 

 among the more wealthy classes. 



Plan. — Having thus sketched out the physical characters 

 of the district, and before passing directly to the subject of 

 this Paper, I wish to say a word respecting the plan I have 

 arranged my notes upon. First, the accurate position of 

 each is of importance from a systematic stand-point, and in 

 this I have closely followed Captain Legge's arrangement 

 as being the most modern. 



Detailed description I have avoided, as space would not 

 permit of such being done ; and in all cases that I could rely 

 upon, I have given notes upon the nidification of examples. 

 Where matters of ornithological interest occur, I have 

 enlarged upon the subject, with the hope of rendering this 

 Paper both of use as well as of interest. 



