Another, called by the natives neela-cobeya[1], although strikingly elegant both in shape and colour, is still more remarkable for the singularly soothing effect of its low and harmonious voice.  A gentleman who has spent many years in the jungle, in writing to me of this bird and of the effects of its melodious song, says, that “its soft and melancholy notes, as they came from some solitary place in the forest, were the most gentle sounds I ever listened to.  Some sentimental smokers assert that the influence of the propensity is to make them feel as if they could freely forgive all who had ever offended them; and I can say with truth such has been the effect on my own nerves of the plaintive murmurs of the neela-cobeya, that sometimes, when irritated, and not without reason, by the perverseness of some of my native followers, the feeling has almost instantly subsided into placidity on suddenly hearing the loving tones of these beautiful birds.”

[Footnote 1:  Chalcophaps Indicus, Linn.]

V. GALLINAE. The Ceylon Jungle-fowl.—­The jungle-fowl of Ceylon[1] is shown by the peculiarity of its plumage to be not only distinct from the Indian species, but peculiar to the island.  It has never yet bred or survived long in captivity, and no living specimens have been successfully transmitted to Europe.  It abounds in all parts of the island, but chiefly in the lower ranges of mountains; and one of the vivid memorials which are associated with our journeys through the hills, is its clear cry, which sounds like a person calling “George Joyce,"[2] and rises at early morning amidst mist and dew, giving life to the scenery, that has scarcely yet been touched by the sun-light.

[Footnote 1:  Gallus Lafayetti, Lesson.]

[Footnote 2:  I apprehend that in the particular of the peculiar cry the Ceylon jungle fowl differs from that of the Dekkan, where I am told that it crows like a bantam cock.]

The female of this handsome bird was figured many years ago by Dr. GRAY in his illustrations of “Indian Zoology,” under the name of G.  Stanleyi.  The cock bird subsequently received from LESSON, the name by which the species is now known:  but its habitat was not discovered, until a specimen having been forwarded from Ceylon to Calcutta, Dr. BLYTH recognised it as the long-sought-for male of Dr. Gray’s specimen.

Another of the Gallinae of Ceylon, remarkable for the delicate pencillings of its plumage, as well as for the peculiarity of the double spur, from which it has acquired its trivial name, is the Galloperdix bicalcaratus, of which a figure is given from a drawing by Mr. Gould.

[Illustration:  GALLOPERDIX BICALCARATUS.]

VI.  GRALLAE.—­On reaching the marshy plains and shallow lagoons on either side of the island, the astonishment of the stranger is excited by the endless multitudes of stilt-birds and waders which stand in long array within the wash of the water, or sweep in vast clouds above it.  Ibises[1], storks[2], egrets, spoonbills[3], herons[4], and the smaller races of sand larks and plovers, are seen busily traversing the wet sand, in search of the red worm which burrows there, or peering with steady eye to watch the motions of the small fry and aquatic insects in the ripple on the shore.