No. 5. — 1 849.] NATURAL HISTORY. 



203 



RAPTOBES. 

 Tribe Diurni. 

 Family Falconimj. 

 Genus Falco. 

 6.— F. Peregrinus, L. 

 Syn. — F. Barlarus, L. ; F. Communis, Bris. ; Rdjdliyd, 

 Sin. (the name of the whole tribe of Raptores); Paruntu, Mai. 

 (general name also) ; Knykdief, Dutch (literally "Chicken 

 thief ") ; Moitu, Port, (general name also). 



Very rare in Ceylon ; one specimen only procured ; this I 

 shot in January, 1850, on the open plain near Vallai Bridge, 

 Jaffna district, feeding on the waders which frequent the 

 borders of the salt pans. In its maw were the remains of 

 H. Leschenaulti. 



Sub-Genus Tinnunctjlus, Vieillot. 

 7 — T. Alaudarius. 

 Syn. — Falco Alaudarius, Brie. ; F. Tinnunculus, Lin. ; 



F. Inter stinctus, McLelands. 

 This daring hawk is common throughout the Island on 

 open ground dotted with low bushes. They are generally 

 found hunting in couples, skimming low over the bushes and 

 along the ground, and darting suddenly on their prey, which 

 consists almost exclusively of small birds, such as larks 

 and amadavats, which abound in such situations. 



Sub- Family Pernin^. 

 Genus Baza, Hodgson. 

 8.— B. Lophotes, (PL Col., 10). 

 Syn. - Falco Lophotes, Tern. ; F. Syama, Hodg. 

 Uncommon, but found occasionally in the Jaffna district 

 in the cold season, from October to February. It is said to 

 feed on caterpillars, but a specimen which I procured in 

 Jaffna contained a lizard (Calotes) in its throat half 

 devoured. 



