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JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [Vol. VIII. 



97. DiccBum minimum, Tickell's Flower-pecker. The 

 smallest bird we have. It is very common at all elevations, and 

 appears to be equally numerous all the year round. The "mistle- 

 toe" parasite, common in many trees, especially orange, appears 

 to afford the most favourite food for this little bird, and owing to 

 the viscid nature of the seed, it attaches itself to the bird's bill, 

 and thus becomes spread to a considerable extent. 



98. Pachyglossa vincens, Legge's Flower-pecker. I have 

 twice seen this bird, close to Flevna estate (2,200 feet), but failed 

 to procure a specimen, and unfortunately took no note of the date on 

 which I made the observation. In November, 1877, I shot a male 

 in Pussellawa, at 4,000 feet elevation. 



99. Zosterops palpebrosa, the Common White-eye. Very 

 common below 2,500 feet, and to be met with in all chena lands 

 about that altitude. 



100. Zosterops ceylonensis, the Ceylon White-eye. Very 

 numerous from 2,500 feet and upwards. It associates in flocks 

 of from ten to fifty birds. 



101 . Hirundo rustica, the Common Swallow. One of the first 

 to appear of the migratory birds, and during its stay is extremely 

 plentiful. It is particularly fond of paddy fields and open patana 

 lands, where these birds may be said to swarm. I have seen as 

 many as fifty congregate on a fence in a paddy field, and among 

 them a curious variety of coloured birds. In some, the plumage 

 is a dull rusty brown, while others have a fine steel-blue green tint. 

 They appear in September, and become scarce in March and April. 



102. Hirundo hyperythra, the Chestnut bellied Swallow. 

 Numerous throughout the district, but more common at 2,000 

 feet elevation than 4,000. It nests here, building a curious bottle- 

 shaped structures in caves. The eggs are three in number, and 

 laid about April, and are in form, rather a narrow oval and pure 

 white in colour. 



103. Hirundo Javanica, the Bungalow Swallow. Numerous 

 above 3,000 feet, much less so below that elevation. It is less 

 common during the S.W. monsoon than in the N.E., probably 

 because the wind is too furious for so small a bird. It builds in 

 bungalows and other buildings during the early months of the 

 year — i. e., from about March to May. The eggs are three in 

 number, broad oval, of a pale white colour, spotted over with 

 umber, or red-brown, more closely marked at the broad than the 

 opposite end. 



