Ceylon Ornithology, 



161 



the terminal edge of feathers. Wing quills brown, inner 

 web dentilated with white. Under parts of body pale rufous, 

 with black streaks and spots. Under wing coverts white 

 with brown spots. Tail ashy grey with black subterminal 

 band and white tip. Bill bluish, tip black. Irides yellow. 

 Tarsi and toes yellow. Claws black. Length 1 foot 2 inches. 

 Wing 9 \ inches. The female is a more elegant bird and 

 differently maculated. 



Upper parts rufescent with dark brown streaks on the 

 head, and blackish bars on dorsal feathers and upper wing 

 coverts. Breast and abdomen rufescent white with brown 

 mesial streaks. Wings dark brown or blackish above and 

 whitish beneath; inner web of quills barred, zigzag white or 

 rufous ; lower wing coverts white with small brown spots. 

 Tail rufous, with blackish bars, and a broad black subterminal 

 band ; tip whitish. Rather smaller than the male. 



The Kestrel, a well known bird of Europe and America, 

 is also very common in India and Ceylon. I have found it 

 in all the Maritime provinces, and also at Kandy and Newera 

 Ellia. They are frequently seen in pairs on open plains in 

 search of field rats, toads, and the young of Monitor Dracaena. 

 I have found the Kestrel's nest on the rocks of Trincomalie, 

 and also on the sea-girt batteries of that old Fort, 



Hypotriorchis Chicquera, Shaw. The Small Eed- 

 Headed Falcon. 



Syn. Falco ruficollis, et \ 8wainson . 

 I alco macrodactylus. J 



Falco cirrhatus, var. \ Lathamt 

 Fasciated Jb alcon. J 



Head and upper parts of neck dark rufous, under parts of 

 neck white. Back ashy grey. Breast, abdomen, lower tail 

 coverts and thighs white, with dark ashy bars. Wing dark 

 ashy brown ; inner web of quills white with ashy bars. Upper 



VOL. II. Y 



