204 JOURNAL, R.A.S. ( CEYLON). [VOL. II., PART IT. 



Sub-Family Circaeiin^:. 

 Genus ELematornis, Vigors. 

 9.— H. Btdo. 



$YN.—Falco Bidoj Hors. ; F. Bacha {?), Daudin ; 

 F. Ckeela, var. 



Not uncommon in various parts of the Island, having been 

 received from Mr. Brodie at Puttalam, procured by Dr. 

 Templeton near Colombo, and another was shot by myself 

 in the Pasdun k6rale' near the hill Diyagallagolava, the 

 habitat of the Edible-nest-building Collocalice, while sleep- 

 ing on a low tree: a fortunate discharge of dust shot 

 brought it to the ground, and on removing the skin a large 

 mould shot was found embedded in the bone of the right 

 wing: from its appearance it had evidently existed there for 

 a long period.* The specimens procured in this country 

 are uniformly smaller than the Indian race. 



Sub-Family Circinje. 

 Genus Circus, Lacepede. 

 10.— -C. Swainsonii, A. Smith {Gould's B. E.,pl. 34.) 



Syn. — C. Pallidus, Sykes ; C. Albescens. Leson. 

 Not uncommon on the open plains about Puttalam and 

 the neighbourhood of the salt lake at Vallai, Jaffna district. 

 It preys on frogs, lizards, and reptiles of all kinds. 



* For the benefit of any person collecting in this region, into whose 

 hands these "Sketches" may fall, the following description of a col- 

 lecting gun, which I have in constant use, is givon : — 



Length of barrel, 3 ft. 7 in.; calibre rather less than 3-8ths of an 

 in., carrying a ball 120 to the pound; thickness of metal l-8th of an 

 in., making a total of 5-8ths of an in. in the diameter of the barrel 

 at the muzzle. At the breech the metal is much thicker, to counter- 

 balance the length. The stock is fitted with a trap box holding wad- 

 ding, balls, caps, a knife, needles and thread, &c. The charge for this 

 gun is about a quarter the usual quantity, which will b 3 found very 

 economical in a country where all the collector's ammunition has to be 

 carried by coolies. It kills at a long distance, and throws ball or three 

 buck shot admirably, if required for deer, pea-fowl, or wild ducks. It 

 was with this gun I killed H. Bido. 



