generally found in pairs, and the moment one begins its shrill call the other answers it. This call resembles somewhat that of B. Indicus, the next species, but is louder and more shrill, and may be heard to a great distance. This species has been hitherto considered very rare, and rests principally on the authority of Levaillant. It is peculiar to the Island, as many other varieties of birds and animals are, which have remained unknown for years, but will soon, I trust, grace the cabinets of our Museum, and take their place among the described species of the Indian Fauna.

B. Indicus (Linn.).—Length, 6§ in., 1 wing about 3 in., tail 1 in., bill to forehead in.; above, green with a ruddyish tinge, the feathers slightly marginated with yellow; below, yellowish-white, each feather centred with green; forehead and gorget brilliant crimson, immediately behind which is a black band fading off into dark lead colour; below the gorget is a narrow band of golden yellow; chin and throat sulphur colour; a similar coloured spot surrounds the eye; base of bill black, as is also the bill itself; feet reddish, with black claws.

They are fond of sitting on a dead twig, or tree-top, uttering their dull, monotonous call, generally beginning with a loud "tur-r-r-r-r," ascending the gamut and ending with "ko-turr, ko-turr." Hence the native name of the whole genus, Koṭṭóruwó. The species is very common in Jaffna and Colombo, but not so much so in the hills, where B. rubricapillus replaces it. They are very partial to the young fruit of the cotton and tamarind, which abound in the Jaffna district.

B. rubricapillus (Gemlin).-Much resembles the preceding in size and colour, but the forehead with a smaller and less brilliant red patch; the gorget is almost obsolete (in some specimens quite so), and the throat, chin, and eye-spot

deep dull orange; the upper parts are of a more unvaried green, and the lower lighter and streakless.

Found in Colombo and Jaffna, occasionally in company with the preceding, but its great haunt seems to be about Kandy, where it may be found in small parties of six or eight. When one flies from a tree the rest all follow, and though the Indian species are said to be solitary, this one is certainly not so. They also roost in these small parties, as in the evening I have seen them seeking their roosting-place together. Native name, Koṭṭórumá.

Nothing is known of the birds, &c., of the Batticaloa district. Contributions from thence will prove most acceptable to the Society's Museum. B. caniceps and Indicus I have seen from thence, but some even of the Indian species may yet be found there. In a small collection presented to our president, I found two specimens of Halcyon capensis, which is stated to be common there, though unknown in this part of the Island. Also in a small lot of skins brought thence by a friend, I detected five species not found here-one of them a water-rail (Rallus). The district is rich in water-birds, and worthy the attention of any of our members who may be visiting it.

ON THE GENUS Hirundo.

In commenting on the Fissirostral tribe, Swainson has well and shortly described them in the following passage :— "The Fissirostral birds, as a whole, are peculiarly distinguished by having the powers of flight developed in the highest degree all the energies of their nature seem concentrated in this one perfection; for their feet are always very short, weak, and generally so imperfect as to be of no further use than to rest the body after flight. Their food is exclusively insects, captured upon the wing. To accomplish this, nature has given to their mouths enormous

width, by which, superadded to their amazing flight and rapidity of movement, they are almost sure to capture their prey." Here, then, are well summed up all the general qualities of the swallow race; a few individual peculiarities of course remain, which will be noticed under the respective species. The family is divided into two subfamilies, Hirundo and Cypselus, the latter again sub-divided into the following:- Cypselus, Acanthylis, Collocalia, and Macropteryx.

Hirundo (Linn.).- Bill flattened throughout; upper mandible slightly hooked; rictus devoid of vibrissæ; feet insessorial; lateral toes equal; hind and middle toes equal, and as long as, if not longer than, the tarsus; plumage lustrous; tail more or less forked.

Only two of this genus have as yet been recognised in Ceylon; but one of them is an undescribed species, and, so far as I can ascertain, is not migratory, but confined to our Island.

H. gutturalis (Scopoli); H. pnayana (Lath.); H. Javanica (Sparr.); H. Javanica (Sykes).-Common in India and the Malay countries generally. They arrive in Colombo about the end of September. I saw them in Jaffna in abundance during the months of January and February. I have never yet seen the nests of these birds, nor can I conceive where they build so as to escape notice. I have observed them sitting much on the stony edge of the moat, both here and in Jaffna, fond of hunting over grassy fields and meadows. Plumage glossy, blue on the back; wings and tail inclining to brown; forehead and throat rufous; colour below the throat steel blue; underneath flesh-coloured; tail barred with white; outer tail feathers very long, having been known to exceed the next by 2 in.

H. hyperythra (Layard).—This handsome swallow is confined to the hilly region of Ceylon, and is an undescribed

species new to the Indian Fauna. My first acquaintance with the species was in November, 1847, when on a journey to Kandy. Their glossy blue wings and back contrasting with their red underside and tail coverts, struck my attention, nor could I remember having ever seen any other swallow with the same fine tints. During our breakfast at Ambépussa they were continually skimming over the open space in front of the bungalow and along the river in search of their insect prey. Not having a gun I was obliged to content myself with making a note of them in my Journal of Natural History. In February of last year Mr. Brodie, of Puttalam, showed me a very fresh specimen of a new swallow, which he said he had found in a chena towards Kurunegala. This I instantly recognised as the Ambépussa bird, and this is the first instance of its being procured. Subsequently I observed them at Ambagamuwa in March, and at Kandy in November. They frequent the hills free from high trees, and are fond of perching in flocks on the coffee and other low bushes, sallying off occasionally in quest of insects.*

Plumage of the back as far as the tail coverts glossy steel blue. Tail coverts, vent, and breast deep rufous ; throat inclining to yellow; just over, and in front of the eye, is a still darker rufous line. The shafts of the breast and throat feathers are black, the colour extending in some

*The late Dr. Gardner told me that a pair of these birds built their nest on a ring in the ceiling of his house in the Botanical Gardens at Pérádeniya. The ring supported a chain and hanging lamps in the centre of the sitting-room. This shows their fearless nature, resembling in this respect the common martin of England, and also in the structure of their nest, which Dr. Gardner described as "made of clay and like that of the English swallow." Eggs unknown at present: but I trust this notice may attract the attention of some one residing in the interior, and lead to specimens being sent to us for our local Museum. The young birds frequented the nest for a month after being full fledged, returning to it every night to roost.

instances to the feather; under tail coverts rufous, with steel blue tips; the tail and wing primaries glossy rifle green. In size these birds exceed H. gutturalis, both in length and plumpness. The wings are pointed, and the tail forked, though not to the extent of the preceding. The exterior feathers I have never observed of equal length. Bill distinctly hooked and notched; feet and legs more robust than among the generality of swallows; lateral toes equal; hind toe longer than middle, and as long as tarsus.

Macropteryx (Swainson).—An intermediate genus of Swainson's, between Hirundo and Cypselus. Tarsus very short and bare; anterior toes of nearly equal length; halux shortest; hind toe very weak and short; plumage silky; head crested; tail very long and much forked; outer tail feathers projecting upwards of 2 in. beyond the next. Wings in some very long.

We have but one of the present genus in the Island, M. coronatus (or longipenius), which appears to be generally distributed, though not very common. I have traced it along the western coast to Jaffna, in the interior to Kandy, and along the Ambagamuwa range. In Colombo it is met with in small parties, frequenting the cinnamon gardens in the neighbourhood of high jungle. They have a long sailing flight, during which they utter a peculiar note distinct from any of the swallow tribes, and not unlike the words "chiffle-chaffle, chiffle-chaffle," ending with "klechoklecho," often repeated, -the cry they likewise utter when perched on the leafless branches of trees on the look-out for insects. The crest on the head is on such occasions rapidly elevated and depressed. Our Ceylon specimens agree well with the description given by Dr. Blyth of the Indian birds. "Outer tail, &c." I have never been able to ascertain the breeding-place of these birds, although they seem to remain