12 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, 



236.— THE PIED KINGFISHER. 



Cerylc rudis, Lin. 

 The Pied Kingfisher occurs in suitable localities fehroaghorat tbt- 

 presidency. It is a permanent resident, breeding during the summer 

 months in holes in the banks- of streams and rivers. The eargfs, font 

 to six in number, are glossy china-white, and are usually of a broad 

 oval shape, but are liable to variation. They measure 1*15 inches 

 in length by 0'9 in breadth. 



There are three or four other species of this family mostly confined 

 to the sea coast in the South. They are probably permanent resi- 

 dents-, but I can find no record of their breeding. 



140. -THE GREAT HORN BILL. 



Dichoceros caratns, Shaw. 

 The Great Hornbill is a permanent resident in the forest clad 

 portions of tho Sahyadri range, where it is not uncommon. They 

 feed principally on ripe berries and fruit, leaving their usual haunts 

 during the winter in search of them, They kill and eat snakes 

 when they find them. 



They breed during the hot weather in holes in rotten trees. The 

 female is a close sitter, closing up the entrance hole with her own 

 ordure, only leaving a long narrow slit through which she obtrudes 

 her bill to receive the berries and other food that her mate brings 

 her. She does not leave the nest hole until the eggs are hatched out. 

 The eggs, three in number, vary in colour from pure white to pale- 

 yellow. They measure 2- 7 inches in length by about 1*8 in breadth. 



14] .—THE MALABAR PIED HORNBILL. 



Hydrocissa coronata, Budd. 

 The Malabar Pied Hornbill is a not uncommon permanent resident 

 in the southern portion of our district, but I cannot find any record 

 of its breeding. 



144.— THE COMMON GREY HORNBILL. 



Ocyceros hirostris } Scojj. 

 The Common Grey Hornbill has not been recorded from Sind, and 

 only doubtfully so from the Deccan. Generally speaking it is not 

 uncommon in all the well-wooded tracts of Rajpootana and Gujerat. 

 In the Gir forest in Katty war it is very common. It is fairly common 

 in the mango groves in the Nassick and Khandesh districts. It 



