202 JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [YOL. II. , PART II. 



4. — P. Cyanocephalus (Edw., pi. 233). 



$YN.— Psittacus Cyanocephalus, E. ; P. Flavitorquis, 

 Shaw ; Palceornis Flavicollaris, Frank ; Psittaca Ben- 

 galensis, Bris. ; Psittacus Erythrocephalus, Gunie ; Batu- 

 girawd,&\n. (literally " Brinjal colour"); Payattan-kili 

 Mai. (Payaru is literally the name of a bean). 



This elegant parrot seems generally distributed (with 

 the exception of the Jaffna peninsula) throughout the 

 Island. It chiefly prevails in the low wooded hills between 

 Colombo and Kandy, feeding in small flocks of one or two 

 families on the nut of the dombagaha (Sinhalese). 



The adult birds are much prized among the natives ; the 

 young birds have the head of a greyish-purple, with a yellow 

 ring round the throat. On assuming the plum colour of the 

 adult bird, the feathers do not fall off, but change colour. 

 From the numerous specimens procured, I am inclined to 

 think this change takes place before the end of the first year. 



!Sub-Family Lorinje. 

 Genus Loriculus, Blytk. 

 5. — L. Asiatious. 

 Syn. — P. Asiaticus, Latham ; P. Indicus, Geme. ; 

 Mal-girawa, Sin. (literally " Flower parrot"). 



Very abundant in the plain extending along the whole 

 sea coast from Puttalam (where said by Mr, Brodie to be 

 common) to Tangalla. Plentiful also about Kandy and 

 Ambagamuwa. 



They are exceedingly fond of drinking from the toddy 

 vessels ; and in such situations are entrapped in horse-hair 

 nooses by the native boys, who tame them. The young bird 

 resembles its Indian representative L. vernalis. Not having 

 the red heads, like as in the preceding species, the feathers 

 themselves assume the bright red colour by age. 



