148 
Mr. A. Whyte’s Ornithological Notes 
XIII .—Ornithological Notes taken during a Voyage from 
Ceylon to England. By A. Whyte. 
In Ceylon and, indeed, throughout India and the East gene¬ 
rally the migrations of birds are chiefly influenced by the 
two monsoons, viz. the north-east and the south-west, the 
former generally prevailing in Ceylon and South India from 
November to April, and the latter from May to October. 
Comparatively little, however, has been definitely ascertained 
as to whence the migratory birds come, and the circumstances 
which influence their migrations. Detailed facts and data 
can only be arrived at by recording long-continued system 
matic observations in different localities. In the mean time 
individual experience may add something to our knowledge 
of the subject; and it is with this hope that I now put together 
these notes, taken on board the S.S. f Duke of Devonshire’ 
during a recent voyage from Ceylon. 
We sailed from Colombo, Ceylon, on the 17th Oct. 1876; 
and for some days we were constantly accompanied by the 
more common Terns, Gulls, and other Sea-birds, none of 
which, however, ventured on board. 
On the 20th Oct., when about thirty miles S.E. of Minicoy 
Island, the most northern of the Maldives, a Swallow flew 
on board, which proved to be Hirundo rustica , L. Being 
either alarmed or exhausted, it was soon captured. When 
again liberated it flew off vigorously for the island, on which 
could be seen a beautiful fringe of graceful cocoanut-palms. 
At noon, on the 22nd Oct., a Kestrel (Falco alaudarius) 
alighted on the rigging, and perched on one of the yards for 
the night. After nightfall it was captured by one of the 
quartermasters, and was caged as a curiosity. Next day, how¬ 
ever, it escaped, and no one observed the direction it took. 
On the same day a common Paddy-bird, or Heron (Ardea 
leucoptera ), visited us. It was quite exhausted and emaciated, 
and greedily devoured some minced meat. Erom this cir¬ 
cumstance it does not seem likely that this species is capable 
of catching fish or other food while on wing at sea. When 
liberated it went off to the south-west. 
