206 JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. 1L, PART II. 



of Carolina estate, Ambagamuwa, told me many pairs built 

 in the clefts of a perpendicular cliff overlooking the falls of 

 the Kelani-ganga. 



Sub-Family Thras^tik^. 

 Genus Spizaetus, Vieillot. 

 15. -S. Limnaetus (PL Col, 127, 134). 

 Syn. — Falco Caligatus, Raffles; F. Niveus, Tern.; K6lik- 

 kalian^ Mai. (literally "Fowl thief"). 

 The crested variety of this noble hawk is rather abundant 

 and generally distributed. I have shot it at Matara about 

 the banks of the river, and at Point Pedro, the northernmost 

 point of the Island. 



Sub-Family Halitetikze. 

 Genus Blagrus, Blyth. 

 16.— B. Leucogaster. 

 Syn. — F. Dimidiatus, Raffles; Icthycetus Cultrunguis, 

 Blyth. (Journal A. S., XL) Kadal-A'la, Mai. 

 (literally " Sea eagle"). 

 Not uncommon, but local, one pair frequenting the same 

 place for several years and breeding on the same tree, gene- , 

 rally an aged £<5-tree, whose sanctity protects the nest from 

 the depredations of the boys. I found the nest of one pair 

 lately (January, 1850) in such a situation ; and although I 

 offered a good reward to some lads on the spot, not one would 

 mount to rob it, saying that the demon of the tree would 

 injure them. 



This is the largest bird of prey now existing in the 

 Island.* 



* Bennet, in his work on Ceylon, includes Gyps Indicus among the 

 birds of the Island. Traditional reports are also current among the 

 natives in the extreme south, of the existence of a large bird of prey 

 once existing in that locality. 



