WATERS OF WESTERN INDIA. 101 



about rice-fields and the edges of swampy tanks and rivers for small 

 birds, and probably for frogs ; and so do both the Serpent-eagles 

 (Circaetus gallkus and Spilomis clieela). I see that Lieutenant Barnes 

 considers this last bird to be represented here by Spilornis melanotis ; 

 but I have shot many ill the Konkan showing distinctly the marks 

 which he insists on for S. cheela, vU., conspicuous ocellation and 

 barring on the lower surface and breast.* It is a common bird in the 

 Konkan jungles. As with many other Eagles, the young of the 

 year remain for some time with the old birds, and one can often hear 

 three or four of them calling to each other out of trees or on the wing. 

 It has several notes : the commonest is " Qui-yu-kuh," sometimes 

 ** Ku-qui-yu-kuh," "Kou-we-you" (rather long and deep), or 

 a sharp repeated shriek ( ' Qui-qui-qui." The Brown Fish-owl (Kelupa 

 ceylonensis) is known, but being a shy nocturnal bird is not often 

 seen. I never got a specimen myself. 



Swallows can hardly be called aquatic birds ; but it is worth while 

 to notice that the " Edible-nest Swiftlet" (CollocalLi unkolor) breeds 

 in our present region on the Vingorla Rocks ; and specimens of the 

 nests from that place are in our museum. The theory that the nests 

 are built of sea-weed, which would be a more legitimate excuse for 

 bringing the bird in here by the neck and heels> cannot unluckily 

 be maintained any longer. 



The region is rich in Kingfishers, for which its streams are weH 

 fitted, being mostly well provided with small fish and overhanging, 

 rocks and branches. 



Halcyon leueocephalus, the large Brown-headed Kingfisher, is rather 

 common, and it is to me surprising that Lieutenant Barnes seems 

 to think it a rare bird. It is tolerably familiar here ; and I have 

 often been able to watch one frequenting a tree near my tent for hours 

 and days in succession. It has three notes at least. The common call 

 is " Qui-yu-qui, Qui-yu, Qni-yu-qni." The alarm note is- a harsh 

 rattling laugh ; and a wounded bird, when retrieved, has a "squawk" 

 or " caw" very like that of a crow in the like ease.. Halcyon smymensis 

 is common on all wooded torrents and tanks, and often at some 

 distance from water, being largely insectivorous. The rare Halcyon 

 pileata and H. chloris are both recorded by Mr. Vidal, and probably 

 have escaped the notice of other observers, because on the wing, or 

 at a distance, they were mistaken for H. smymensis. I have 



* A Gujerat specimen shown at our September meeting as S. ckeela had these markings, 

 but less than many of uy Konkan birds. 



