INTRODUCTION. 
XXV11 
As the system of spelling has recently been changed, I have followed, to the best of my 
knowledge, the new method, but which, however, I am bound to remark, is subject to variation* 
at the hands of those who conform to it. For instance, the names of some places are spelt 
differently in the road-maps of the Surveyor-General and in that published by the editor of the 
‘Observer’ ; for example, the name of a celebrated tank is spelt “Kantalay ” in the one and 
“ Kantaleyi ” in the other, whereas, after the old spelling “ Kandelay ’’ was abolished, the word 
used to be spelt by some civil servants “ Kanthelai,” and as such it appears in this work. My 
readers will therefore, I trust, bear with the somewhat variable orthography of Ceylonese names 
in the ‘ Birds of Ceylon.’ 
In the early part of the work the name of the territorial division “Pattuwa” will be found, in 
some instances, incorrectly spelt “ Pattu ” but in the map, compiled from road-maps of Provinces, 
kindly furnished me by Col. Fyers, R.E., I have followed in all instances the new method of 
spelling. The figures indicating the rainfall are taken from tables likewise furnished me by the 
Surveyor-General . 
As regards the nidification paragraph, I regret to say, as far as local students are concerned, 
that I have been compelled largely to quote from Mr. Hume’s ‘ Nests and Eggs,’ owing to the 
difficulty in obtaining information about, or finding one’s self, the nests of birds in Ceylon. Yet 
the admirable notes contained in that work are perhaps better than those which I could have 
obtained in the island. If, however, the Appendix be consulted much interesting additional 
information will be found supplied by my valued correspondent Mr. Parker, who has done more 
in Ceylonese oology than any recent collector. 
It now remains for me to return my grateful thanks to the many ornithologists, naturalists, 
and collectors who have furnished me with assistance and information, and placed their valuable 
collections at my disposal during the time I have been compiling this work. I am much 
indebted, first and foremost, to Dr. Gunther, Director of the Zoological Department of the 
British Museum, and to Mr. Bowdler Sharpe, Senior Assistant of the same ; for, through the 
kind permission of the former, the vast collections, both mounted and in the skin, were 
placed at my disposal for purposes of comparison with my own ; while the latter, under whose 
care these collections are placed, rendered me every assistance in the procuring and examination 
of the large series of specimens that it was necessary to examine, and was always ready and 
willing to impart information on difficult points with which his great experience and unexcep- 
tionally central position enabled him successfully to deal. Again, to Mr. Seebohm I am highly 
indebted for having placed at my disposal his large collections, the extensive Chinese series of 
skins collected by the late Mr. Swinhoe being of great service for purposes of comparison ; also to 
Mr. Howard Saunders, who, as regards his particular group (the Laridse), furnished me with much 
assistance. To Messrs. Gurney, Harting, Dresser, Sclater, Salvin, and Godman my thanks are likewise 
Letters sent me from Mannar , spelt thus correctly by the writer, are impressed with the post-mark Manaar ! 
