XXVI 
INTRODUCTION. 
were all that were necessary to the local student. Towards the close of the work I have been 
obliged to curtail the synonymy, even in its reduced form, and many Indian references have 
been omitted which did not relate to notes of much interest on the species in question. 
Mr. Ramsay's distribution list of Australian birds has been of much service to me as regards 
Australian distribution ; but, owing to want of space, I have been unable to quote, except in one 
or two instances, this important contribution to Australian ornithology. In respect to Ceylon 
references, I have not quoted my paper on the “ Distribution of the Birds in the Asiatic Society’s 
Museum,” contained in the local journal for 1874, as it was printed in mistake during my 
temporary absence from the island, and contained many errors in distribution, which, owing to 
the result of subsequent experience, I had intended to correct. 
In regard to the local names for the birds of the island preference has been given to those 
used in Asiatic and Malayan countries, and, in the case of Waders and Water-birds, Heuglin’s 
Egyptian names have been quoted. Sinhalese names have been supplied from Layard’s catalogue 
and from a list furnished me by Mr. MacVicar, of the Survey Office, as well as from information 
obtained myself from the natives. This gentleman also supplied me with a list of Tamil and 
Ceylon-Portuguese names, which I have used throughout the work. 
I he measurements of specimens, with regard to which I have been particular, all relate to 
Ceylonese specimens in the flesh, except when the contrary is stated (as in the case of Waders 
and sea-birds particularly) in brackets. My system of wing-measurement, it is well to remark, 
consisted in straightening the metacarpal joint by pressure in the hand, or on the table in the 
case of large birds, and then measuring on the upperside of the wing. The dimensions attained 
in this manner exceed those taken of dried specimens, when the metacarpal joint has stiffened 
in the usual convex form, by from 01 to 0-3 of an inch. Contrary to the usage of most writers, 
I have placed the measurements before the description, simply because it is in accordance with 
the practice of field-naturalists to measure their specimens first. In the description of the 
plumage I have endeavoured to follow a uniform system throughout : beginning with the head 
and back, the wings and tail are then described, thus completing the upper surface ; the lores 
and face are then mentioned, and ensuite the under surface, the under wing coming last. 
It is hoped that the figure of a bird which has been engraved to show the various portions 
of the plumage in terms of scientific nomenclature will be of service to those who are not 
ornithologists, should they have occasion to peruse the description of the plumage of any species 
in which they may be interested. 
The observation ( Ohs .) on each species has been given for the benefit of the local student , in 
order to furnish him with as much information as possible of allied species inhabiting India, and, 
in fact, the entire Oriental Region. Many of my observations on kindred species and genera may 
seem superfluous to the ornithologist in England, with numerous libraries at his command ; but it is 
to be hoped that, as far as the naturalist in Ceylon is concerned, they will be of some use. 
Likewise with a view of assisting the local student, an outline of the entire geographical 
distribution of each species has been sketched out ; this matter, again, may seem, to European 
readers, superfluous in a work of local nature. 
