304 
CEYX TRIDACTYLA. 
Ceyx solitaria, Temm. PI. Col. 595 ; Sharpe, Mon. Alced. pi. 38. New Guinea and adjacent isles. 
Back rich ultramarine ; the head, tail, and wings chiefly black ; bill black. Wing 2-1. 
Ceyx cajeli. Wall. P. Z. S. 1863, p. 25, pi. v. ; Sharpe, Mon. Alced. pi. 44. Bouru Island. 
Chiefly black above, with the back aud rump silvery blue ; head and wing-coverts spotted with silvery blue. vY mg 2-5. 
Ceyx wallacei, Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1868, p. 270 ; id. Mon. Alced. pi. 45. Sula Islands. 
A large species, chiefly black above, with the back very rich shining cobalt: distinguished by its black scapulars trom 
the next. Wing 2-5. . 
Ceyx lepida Temm. PI. Col. 595 ; Sharpe, Mon. Alced. pi. 46. Ceram, Amboma, south-west coast of New Guinea. 
Likewise a large species. Chief characteristics of upper plumage black, spotted with rich ultramarine on the head 
and hind neck ; back “ rich ultramarine.” Wing 2-5. 
Ceyx uropymalis, Gray, P. Z. S. 1860, p. 348 ; Sharpe, Mon. Alced. pi. 47. . . , , , 
Smaller than the above. Upper surface chiefly black, spotted minutely and striped with ultramarine on the head ; 
back ultramarine ; rump silvery blue. Wing 2-4. 
Ceyx melanvra, Kaup ; Sharpe, Mon. Alced. pi. 39. Philippine Islands 
Above chiefly lilac-rufous, with a patch of feathers on each side of the neck blue, under which is another white patch . 
head spotted with lilac-blue. Wing 2d. ... 
Ceyx philippinensis, Gould, P. Z. S. 1868, p. 404 ; Sharpe, Mon. Alced. pi. 37 . Philippine Islands, 
Chiefly indigo-blue above, bauded with light cobalt on the head and face : under surface deep rufous. Resembles the 
Indian Kingfisher somewhat in general appearance. Wing 2-3. 
Distribution . — This diminutive and beautiful little Kingfisher is the rarest of the indigenous species ol 
the family in Ceylon, occurring here and therein localities few and far between throughout the low country, 
and inhabiting the upland valley of the Mahawelliganga and its affluents to an elevation of about 2000 feet. I 
have procured it in forest on the Trincomalie and Anaradjapura road, near Kanthelai tank, and at Devilane in 
the Friars-Hood district. In 1875, while residing at Ilurelle tank, Mr. Cotteril, C.E., met with a little flock o 
four, and it has been seen in the Mullaittivu district. Layard speaks of meeting with it at Galle, Trincomalie, 
Anaradjapura, Matale, Puttalam, and Ratnapura. I closely scrutinized the rocky streams and rivers during two 
years’ wanderings in the jungles of the south-west, but never saw it, nor did I ever encounter it in any of the 
humid districts of the island, and am therefore convinced that it is chiefly to be found in the ry por ions 
only. It is not uncommon in Dumbara ; but is chiefly located, I imagine, down the valley, rom an y 
towards the bend of the Mahawelliganga. Mr. Holdsworth " at various times obtained three specimens, which 
were killed in the central district;” and it has been described to me (whether correctly identified or not I 
cannot say) as inhabiting the tributaries of the Kelani in Lower Dickoya. 
It is scattered all over India, but nowhere, says J erdon, common. He procured it in the soutn of India and 
remarks that it seems to be a coast-bird for the most part. Col. Sykes got it m the Deccan ; but Mr. 'air an ' 
does not appear to have met with it in that part. In the north-west of India it has not, that I am aware of, 
ever been found, its distribution being decidedly eastern. Mr. Ball does not even record it from Chota 
Nao-pur or the Satpura jungles, and we next find it in the Sikliim Terai, and thence eastward in Cachar and 
Burnnh In IVni Mr. Oates only found it on the eastern slope of the Pegu-Yama hills, where the country 
, covered with evergreen forest, in the deep-wooded nullahs of which it was not uncommon. In Northern 
Tenasserim Mr. Davison found it between Tavoy and Meeta Myo, at Karope, and near Ye. In the peninsula 
d the island of Pinang it is well known, and it has been procured at Ross Island, Andamans, and at Kondul, 
a'small islet adjoining the Great Nicobar Island. It has been found in Java and Sumatra and some of the 
Indo-Malayan Islands, and Mr. Sharpe instances it as having been procured m the Philippines ; but the last- 
named locality requires confirmation. 
Habits The Three-toed Kingfisher, which is the loveliest of all Ceylon birds, is a shy and usually solitary 
species delighting in the gloom of the forest, where it frequents the edges of tiny brooks and damp or swampy 
spots containing small water-holes, subsisting on diminutive fish and small aqueous insects. It is so sma 
that it is next to impossible for the collector, however keen-eyed he be, to detect it on its little perch before i 
is alarmed and takes wing with a shrill piping note, glancing instantaneously round the nearest tree to a 
place of safety. It is consequently very difficult to procure ; but in the evening, just as darkness is setting m 
and the jungle becomes gradually enshrouded in gloom, it becomes restless and noisy, continuing to w ns e 
