NESTING IN WESTERN INDIA. 11 



and was in appearance like a Willow Wren's nest, only of course 

 very much larger. I did not touch the nest as I wanted to watch 

 the birds; so I fetched my glasses, and seated myself on a heap of 

 stones about fifty yards away. One of the birds soon came back 

 with a large piece of moss in its beak. This it commenced to jam 

 in between the nest and the tree, hanging on to a root all the 

 time and working most vigorously. There seemed to be no weav- 

 ing or twisting, but the bird seemed to work the nest into shape 

 as it went on. The nest when examined afterwards was found to 

 consist of layers of moss, one on the top of the other. It fell to 

 pieces directly it was pulled out, and T have not seen a single nest 

 which had sufficient consistency to stand handling." Mr. Baker 

 is a careful observer, and I feel certain that he has made no mistake. 



This total change of habit is curious, and it would be interesting 

 to learn if any other naturalist has met with a similar experience. 



134.— THE INDIAN KINGFISHER. 



Alccdo bengalcnsis, Gm. 

 The Indian Kingfisher is common throughout the district except 

 in Sind, where it is replaced by the closely allied, even if distinct, 

 European Kingfisher, Alcedo ispidet. They breed during the hot 

 weather in holes in the banks of rivers and streams. They make no 

 nest, but a few small fish bones are generally found close to the eggs; 

 but these are ou(y castings, and are evidently not intended for a 

 nest. The eggs, from five to seven in number, are glossy china- 

 white {pinkish- white when fresh). In shape they are broad ovals, 

 occasionally almost spherical. They measure G - 8 inches in length 

 by 0*63 in breadth. 



lUlis.— THE EUROPEAN KINGFISHER. 



Alccdo ispida, Lin. 



The European Kingfisher differs so slightly from the Indian form, 

 that I do not consider the latter entitled to specific distinction, but 

 until the question is definitely settled, it must be retained. The 

 European Kingfisher is very common in Sind, where it is a permanent 

 resident, breeding during the hot weather. The eggs are not distin- 

 guishable from those of the Iudiau bird, 



{Hyderabad Sind), May and June, 11. K, Barnes. 



