No. 4.— 1848.] SKETCHES IN NATURAL HISTORY. 



81 



SKETCHES 



IN THE NATURAL HISTORY OF CEYLON : 

 ORNITHOLOGY. 



By E. L. Layard, Esq., c.m.e.s. 



{Read February 24, 1849.) 



On the Genus Bucco. 



The design of the following sketches is to illustrate the 

 Fauna of this Island. They are intended to form part of a 

 series of Papers commencing with the Indigenous Mammalia, 

 proceeding downwards in the scale of creation to the 

 zoophites which inhabit our seashores and lakes. 



They are in a manner out of place here ; but as this and 

 the succeeding group have lately occupied much of my 

 attention during leisure hours, I have been induced to 

 embody my notes while the interest attached to them was 

 yet fresh in my mind. 



"There is one of these provinces"— says Mr. Kirby, speak- 

 ing of the pursuits of the Zoological Club, in his address 

 at the foundation of the Zoological Club (November 29, 

 1823)—" that 1 think ought to stand high in the esteem of 

 every patriot zoologist,— I mean the study of the animals 

 that are natives or periodical visitants of his own country. 

 An Indigenous Fauna is the first desideratum in our 

 science ; and could a work of this kind be accomplished in 

 every country, regard being had to natural boundaries, we 

 might hope to become acquainted with all the principal 

 groups of animals, and get a much more correct idea than 

 with our present imperfect knowledge we can attain to, of 



