TEE BIRDS OF TRAVANCORE. 659 



(159) Alcbdo ispida. — The Common Kingfisher. 

 Blanford, No. 1035 ; Jerdon, No. 134. 

 Common about the backwaters everywhere and also about tanks and 

 ponds in the low country, but does not ascend the hills. Breeds in 

 March. 



(160) Alcbdo beavani. — Bea van's Kingfisher. 

 Blanford, No. 1036 ; Hume, No. 135 bis. 

 This bird is only found in the neighbourhood of the streams at the 

 foot of the hills, where it is not uncommon. 



(161) Pelargopsis gurial. — The Brown-headed Stork- billod 



Kingfisher. 

 Blanford, No. 1043 ; Jerdon, No. 127. 

 Like the last, confined to the low country, forest and the foot of the 

 hills, where it may occasionally be found, though it is nowhere abundant. 

 It frequents forest streams. Eggs of this bird, measuring 1'5 by 1*13, 

 were brought to Mr. Bourdillun by hillmen in April. 



(162) Halcyon smybnbnsis. — The White-breasted Kingfisher. 



Blanford, No. 1044 ; Jerdon, No. 129. 

 This is about the commonest of the Kingfishers, and does not frequent 

 the neighbourhood of streams only, but may be found in compounds 

 well away from water. It is easily kept in captivity. It does not 

 ascend the hills. " I have more than once had the eggs of this King- 

 fisher brought to me by the hillmen, who told me the usual number 

 of eggs is five, and that the nest is always placed in a hole on a river 

 bank. The eggs are quite white, rather glossy and spherical. — T. F.B." 

 Breeds in April. 



(163) Halcyon pileata. — The Black-capped Kingfisher. 

 Blanford, No. 1045 ; Jerdon, No. 130. 

 This is a rare bird ; one specimen only was brought to me alive, having 

 been captured in a well in Trevandrum. 



Sub-order Bucerotes. 



Family Bucerotidte. 



(164) Dichoceros bicornis.— The Great Horn bill. 



Blanford, No. 1051 ; Jerdon, No. 140. 



Not common, but very much in evidence when present. It is found 



throughout the range. In captivity it is fearless and can hold its 



own with most dogs. It will eat rats readily. Having killed a rat, the 



bird passes it across and back between its mandibles, and when it is thus 



