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Show 204 MR. E. L. LAYARD O N CEYLONESE BIRDS. [FEB. 18, 13. SPILORNIS BACHA. Mr. Blyth, who identified my specimen, always had doubts as to our Ceylon species differing from the Indian S. bacha. 46. CAPRIMULGUS ATRIPENNIS, Jerdon. The identification of this species with my C. mahrattensis is doubtless correct. 61. TOCKUS GRISEUS. I suspect this must be the species observed by me, but not procured. 65. PALCEORNIS CALTHROPCE. I have to thank Mr. Holdsworth for restoring the true reading of this name. 70. CHRYSOCOLAPTES STRICKLANDI. Mr. Holdsworth and I differ in the colour of the irides. I can only say I noted them on skinning the specimens, which was my usual practice. I think, however, that it is not a good plan. I have observed, since I have been here chiefly, that the colour of some irides change with decomposition, usually becoming darker. The safest plan for the collecting naturalist is to have a number of labels with him in the woods, and to note colours at once. Sex and age also I am inclined to think affect their colour. 74. BRACHYPTERNUS CEYLONUS. I have already stated elsewhere that Dr. Kelaart's identifications were not to be depended on. 76. MEGALAIMA FLAVIFRONS. This bird never, in my day, came near Colombo. Its peculiar call would at once have betrayed it; and it was a bird I never omitted to get if I could, being peculiar to the island. It must now be spreading outwards from the mountain-zone. 103. LANIUS CRISTATUS. I can supply the hiatus here. I was at Hambantotte and the south-east coast in April and May. 111. BuCHANGA LONGICAUDATA. If B. minor is not in my list of Ceylon birds (I have not access to my books, which are nearly all packed to avoid the damp of this destructive climate), there has probably been a wrong identification here. The bird to which I allude is extremely common in the Jaffna peninsula. 122. ALSEONAX TERRICOLOR, Hodgson. Lord Walden showed me a specimen of my Butalis muttut, |
