No. 29. — 1884.] BALAISTGODA OKNITHOLOGY. 



289 



118. Turtur suratensis, the Common Spotted-dove. Very 

 common, and affecting paddy fields chiefly. They breed in the 

 district. 



1 19. Ghalcophaps Indica, the Bronze- winged Dove. Frequent- 

 ing heavy forests and forest glades ; fairly abundant throughout 

 the year. 



120. Osmotreron pompadora, the Pompadour Green-pigeon. 

 Numerous about elevations from 2,000 to 3,000 feet, and generally 

 gregarious. Owing to their shyness, and the similarity between 

 their colour and the trees they frequent, they are not so often 

 seen as heard. Their flesh is very good, most especially during 

 the fruit season, when they are fat and plump. 



121. Gallus Lafayettii, the Ceylon Jungle -fowl. Very 

 common, and not unfrequently shot by native hunters, from whom 

 I have bought them for a rupee each. 



122. Galloper dix bicalcceata, the Ceylon Spur-fowl. Very 

 abundant throughout all the large forests, and at all elevations. 

 They breed in the district. I have frequently flushed a hen and 

 her chicks, but the extraordinary shyness of this bird and its 

 swiftness of foot renders it extremely hard to secure. 



123. Turnix Taigoor, the Black-breasted Bustard-quail. 

 Found sparingly throughout the district, affecting " kurakkan " 

 fields, dry paddy, and grass land. I have observed this bird all 

 through the year, but have never seen the nest, eggs, or young. 



124. Porzana fusca, the Ruddy Rail. I have only seen two 

 examples of this little bird, one of which I shot on the 14th 

 March, 1883. It was creeping about the bunds in the high paddy, 

 much after the manner of a quail. This was at an elevation of 

 1,800 feet. 



125. Erythra ph&nicura, the White-breasted Water-hen. 

 Very common about all swampy low-lying land and paddy fields. 

 These birds breed in the district during the latter part of the N.B. 

 monsoon and into the S.W. ; but though I have found chicks, I 

 have not secured nests or eggs, 



126. Rhynchcea capensis, the Painted Snipe. I have shot 

 several of these snipe, and from observations I have made I am 

 inclined to believe that they breed in the district. One spot in 

 particular I have repeatedly found these birds in, and though 

 "shot over," the scared birds return to the same haunt again and 

 again. 



127 Gallinago stenura, the Pin-tailed Snipe. A visitor to 



