SPILOKNIS SPILOG ASTER. 
65 
in the continuous jungles of the south-eastern low country, parts of the " Park,” the Eastern Province, and the 
entire northern half of the island. In all these districts it is chiefly to he found in the vicinity of village tanks 
or on the banks of the forest-lined rivers. 
In the V\ estern Province it is a scarcer bird, and is mostly confined to the wild country commencing 
near Avisawclla and stretching through Saffragam, and thence along both banks of the Kaluganga to the 
maritime districts at its mouth. In the hilly country between Galle and the Morowalc Korale it is likewise 
an uncommon bird, being now and then met with on the outskirts of damp paddy-land and on the banks of 
the Gindurah and other streams. As regards the Kandyan province, it is found generally throughout the 
coif ee-disti icts, extending even to the Nuwara-Elliya plateau; but it is chiefly noticeable about Kadugunawa, 
in parts of Dumbara and the Knuckles district, in Dolosbage, and thence into Ambegamoa. In Haputale it 
is not uncommon, Mr. Bligh having procured many specimens in that district. It is found as near Colombo 
as Atturugeria and Kaduwella ; but going northwards of the capital it is not very frequently met with until the 
Maha Oya is passed and the drier districts near Kurunegala reached. 
Layard, who thought it to be migratory, remarks of its distribution, under the head of Hcematomis cheela, 
Abundantly and widely distributed throughout the island and in speaking of the immature phase {[I. spilo- 
gaster) says, “ the Doctor ” (Kelaart) “ procured his specimen at Trincomalie, whilst I killed mine in the Yanni. 
I afterwards shot another pair at Pt. Pedro.” Prom his observations it appears that the species visits the 
north (the Jaffna peninsula is probably meant) in March, and remains until July. It is very probable that a 
partial movement to the peninsula does take place at that season, which led to the belief that the species was 
migratory. 
Beyond the confines of Ceylon, this species reappears in the island of Sumatra and extends thence to the 
Straits Settlements. It was first made known from Sumatra by Sir S. Raffles. 
Habits . — This small Eagle, whose serpent-destroying propensities make it a useful bird, is a denizen of 
forest, frequenting the banks of streams and rivers and the borders of tanks, more especially the smaller class 
known as the village “ Kulam.” Every such sheet of water possesses its pair of Snake-Eagles, which haunt the 
heavy jungle and huge trees clothing the bunds or dams, and patiently watch throughout the day from some 
huge outstretching limb for the various snakes and frogs which disport themselves from time to time on the 
banks of the stagnant pool. On espying its prey, the yellow-eyed bird raises his massive topknot, and with 
glistening orbs darts noiselessly down with dangling feet, and sweeping off the luckless reptile, mounts to the 
nearest perch and there devours it, resuming there and then his patient watch. This sluggish existence is, 
however, varied by a daily soar above his accustomed haunt, in the blaze of the noonday snu, when he mounts 
to a great height in wide circles, and with loud screams proclaims his freedom and success. 
Equally at home by the sandy beds of the dried-up rivers in the northern and eastern forests, one of these 
Eagles may be encountered, at every mile or so, during a ramble down these romantic watercourses. They 
are invariably seated on the overhanging limb of an immense Kumbook tree, and when disturbed skim noise- 
lessly on before the intruder and take up their post again on the nearest inviting perch. 
The last specimen of this Eagle procured by me in Ceylon fell to my gun at one of these riverine haunts 
under lather interesting circumstances. It was about 4 o J clock on the evening of a scorching day in the 
Seven Korales when I arrived at the banks of the dry course of the Kimbulana-Oya ; and leaving my jaded 
bullocks to enjoy the welcome shade of the grand umbrageous trees overhanging the crossing-place, I started 
for a tramp down the heavy sandy bed of the river. Here, as in most rivers in the north and east, which in 
the wet season are mighty torrents, not a drop of water was now to be seen, save in some more than ordinary 
deep holes under the denuded roots of the great trees which grow on the bank or in the hollows of the large 
rock-masses which stood up here and there from the sandy bed. Above most of these tiny pools sat a solitarv 
Little Blue Kingfisher, eagerly eyeing the water, round the edge of which ran quietly one or two Green Sand- 
pipers or a Common Snipe, reduced by scarcity of food to a rare degree of tameness. On rounding one of 
the rocky barriers a huge Owl glided noiselessly from the branches of an overhanging tree, and immediately 
fell to my first barrel with a broken wing. As the wounded bird waddled off a Serpent-Eagle, evidently taken 
aback at the sight of his companion trailing his wing along the sand, swooped down on him, doubtless out of 
mere curiosity, and quickly followed him to ground with a fractured pinion. This brought the Owl to a sudden 
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