No. 5.— 1849.] N A TUBAL HISTORY. 



201 



Mr. Blyth says : " A beautiful species, the representative 

 in the mountainous parts of Ceylon of P. Columboides of the 

 Nilgherries,* to which species it manifests the nearest 

 affinity. Crown and back plumbeous-gray, passing to bluish 

 on the rump, and rich dark indigo-blue on the middle tail- 

 feathers and outer webs of the rest ; tail yellow beneath and 

 at the tips, sullied along the inner web of the rectrices 

 above ; forehead and cheeks (passing beyond the eye) broad, 

 nuchal ring and entire under parts brilliant green ; wings 

 deeper green, paler and yellowish towards the scapularies ; 

 throat intense black and contrasting, with a tendency to 

 form a ring round the neck. Upper mandible bright coral, 

 with a white tip, the lower reddish. Wing 5 J in.; tail 

 probably of the usual length, but its medial feathers in the 

 specimen described appear but half grown. f A female or 

 young male is wholly green, more yellowish below, except 

 the rump, which is brighter blue than in the adult male, and 

 the tail is mingled green and indigo-blue ; the more vivid 

 green ring of the neck but obscurely indicated. Both 

 mandibles dull coral, with white tips, and the wing measures 

 in., the tail but 4Jin." 



To the above may be added that in a fresh specimen the 

 feet are bluish-grey, as it were powdered, and the eye of a 

 pale chrome. 



Our late President, Sir J. Emerson Tennent, had a singular 

 living variety of this species, wholly of a bright chrome colour, 

 the broad green nuchal ring being slightly darker in some 

 lights. When I saw it, it had moulted several times, but 

 had always assumed the same garb. It was caught in the 

 neighbourhood of Adam's Peak. 



* This species may yet be found here.— E.L.L. 



f While going to press I have received a letter from Mr. Blyth 

 enumerating some new birds received from Dr. Kelaart at Nuwara Eliya. 

 He writes : " Among these is P. Calthropce adult, with full-grown tail no 

 logger than your specimen," 



