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JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XV. 



to both backwards and forwards ; thus, if the bird before the 

 student has less than ten tail feathers the number opposite 

 that character (293) will guide him to nine feathers without 

 reading all the key between. In the same way, opposite 

 nine feathers in the tail is a number (4) which carries back 

 the reader to ten feathers. 



Only those parts of the keys in the Fauna have been 

 selected that more immediately define and contrast Ceylon 

 species, otherwise it would have been greatly extended. 



Two references follow the name, one to Legge the next to 

 the British Museum Catalogue. Legge's English name is 

 given as the one probably the most convenient for Ceylon 

 students. Then follows the geographical distribution, next 

 the local, both condensed as much as possible. 



As regards the descriptions, I have been careful to 

 compare all the species represented in the Museum collection 

 with the Fauna, and have endeavoured to bring out all the 

 salient points in the clearest manner. Full descriptions of the 

 colours of the plumage are often of great length, and in 

 many cases, as in the larks and the pipits, almost useless. 



My second object has been to give more information about 

 the geographical distribution of the allied species than is 

 given either by Legge or the Fauna. Thus, under each genus, 

 I have referred to the British Museum Catalogue and under 

 the families to Wallace's Geographical Distribution. 



I have carefully avoided all allusions to the habits of the 

 birds or to their nidification and other matters of that sort. 

 If the serious study of our birds is to be entered upon the 

 Fauna must be procured, and should be supplemented by 

 Legge. 



Thirdly, I have taken the opportunity to call attention to 

 the historical side of the subject. This of course has been 

 mainly taken from the Dictionary. 



Under the higher divisions will be found additional 

 remarks on the distribution, and as a rule other characters 

 than those in the key, with the opinions of a few of the 

 principal authorities on their value. 



