44 natural HibTORY. 



129. — Halcyon smyrnensis : Lin. 



The White-breasted Kingfisher breeds from early in March to 

 the end of May, or even later. It excavates a hole in a river 

 bank, or even in the side of a well. There is no nest. The eggs, five 

 in number (occasionally six), are placed on the bare soil. They 

 are almost spherical in shape, averaging 1*12 inches in length by 

 about 1 in breadth. They are glossy china-white when first laid, 

 but as incubation proceeds, this fades and they become glossless white, 

 and are often discolored. 



134. — Akedo benyaJensis : Gm. 



I found but one nesting hole of the little Indian Kingfisher ; 

 this was in March, and it contained five unfledged young ones and 

 an addled egg. The egg was nearly spherical in shape, and when fresh 

 must have been of a glossy china-white. It measured 079 inches in 

 length by 0*68 in breadth. 



136. — Ceryle rudis : Lin. 



The Pied Kingfishers breed from February to April, unlike the 

 White-breasted Kingfisher. The}' never make their holes in the sides 

 of wells, but always in river baiks over running water. These 

 holes are of great extent, one that I examined extending to quite five 

 feet. The eggs, from four to six in number, are broad ovals, 

 occasionally almost spherical. They are pure china-white when 

 blown, and are highly glossy. They measure 1*2 inches in length 

 by about - 9i in breadth. 



148.— Palceom is torquatus : Bodd. 



The Rose-ringed Paroquet breeds from ths end of Februarv to 

 early in April. It nests in holes, generally in trees, but occasionally in 

 buildings and old walls. The eggs, usually four in number, are broadish 

 ovals in shape, pointed at one end, and are of a pure glossless white. 

 They measure 122 inches in length by about - 95 in breadth. 

 197, — Xanthohzma Jmmacephala : P. L. S. Mull. 



The Coppersmith begins to breed iu February, and eggs may 

 be found quite up to the middle of April, but most of them are laid 

 in the commencement of March. They select a branch decayed 

 internally, and into this they cut a small circular hole ; there is no 

 nest. The eggs, three or four in number, are long, narrow, pure white 

 ovals, measuring 1 inch in length by about 0'7 in breadth. 



212. — Coccystes jacobinus : Bodd, 



I never obtained an egg of the Pied-crested Cuckoo at Neemuch 

 that I could be quite sure of, but then the bird is comparatively 



