V. GALLINAE. The Ceylon Jungle-fowl.—­The jungle-fowl of Ceylon[1] is shown by the peculiarity of its plumage to be distinct from the Indian species.  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.”  At early morning it rises amidst mist and dew, giving life to the scenery that has scarcely yet been touched by the sunlight.

[Footnote 1:  Gallus Lafayetti, Lesson.]

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.

[Footnote 1:  Tantalus leucocephalus, and Ibis falcinellus.]

[Footnote 2:  The violet-headed Stork (Ciconia leucocephala).]

[Footnote 3:  Platalea leucorodia, Linn.]

[Footnote 4:  Ardea cinerea.  A. purpurea.]

VII.  ANSERES.—­Preeminent in size and beauty, the tall flamingoes[1], with rose-coloured plumage, line the beach in long files.  The Singhalese have been led, from their colour and their military order, to designate them the “English Soldier birds.”  Nothing can be more startling than the sudden flight of these splendid creatures when alarmed; their strong wings beating the air sound like distant thunder; and as they soar over head, the flock which appeared almost white but a moment before, is converted into crimson by the sudden display of the red lining of their wings.  A peculiarity in the beak of the flamingo has scarcely attracted due attention, as a striking illustration of creative wisdom in adapting the organs of animals to their local necessities.  The upper mandible, which is convex in other birds, is in them flattened, whilst the lower, instead of being flat, is convex.  To those who have had an opportunity of witnessing the action of the bird in its native haunts, the expediency of this arrangement is at once apparent.  The flamingo, to counteract the extraordinary length of its legs, is provided with a proportionately long neck, so that in feeding in shallow water the crown of the head becomes inverted and the upper mandible brought into contact with the bottom; where its flattened surface qualifies it for performing the functions of the lower one in birds of the same class; and the edges of both being laminated, it is thus enabled, like the duck, by the aid of its fleshy tongue, to sift its food before swallowing.