658 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. 



(153) Eubystomus orientalis. — The Broad-billed Roller. 



Blanford, No. 1025 ; Jerdon, No. 126. 

 This is eminently a forest bird. I have only secured a single specimen 

 in forest land, near Koni, at an elevation of about 300 feet. Mr. T. F. 

 Bourdillon writes : " The Broad-billed Roller is a very remarkable bird 

 and comes to us to breed, leaving Travancore again before the commence- 

 ment of the monsoon. Pairs of these birds may be seen here and 

 there throughout the length of the hills at elevations from 500 — 3,000 

 feet, any time between September and the end of April ; but they are 

 by no means common, though their curious chattering cry and eccentric 

 flight attract attention at once. Their nests are placed in holes of trees 

 at about 30 — 40 feet from the ground, and contain three white eggs, 

 varying considerably in size and shape. " 



Sub -order Mbropes. 

 Family Meropidce. 



(154) Merops viridis. — The common Indian Bee-eater. 



Blanford, No. 1026 ; Jerdon, No. 117. 

 This is one of the commonest and most numerous birds in the low 

 country. 



(155) Merops philippinus. — The Blue-tailed Bee-eater. 



Blanford, No. 1027; Jerdon, No. 118. 

 This is a rare bird, and the Museum contains only one specimen shot 

 near Trevandrum in August 1893. 



(156) Melittophagus swinhoii. — The Chestnut-headed Bee-eater. 

 Blanford, No. 1030; Jerdon, No. 119. 



This Bee-eater is confined to the hills, where it is not uncommon in 

 North Travancore about Pirmerd and the High Range. Breeds in 

 February. 



(157) Nyctiornis athertoni. — The Blue-bearded Bee-eater. 

 Blanford, No. 1031 ; Jerdon, No. 122. 

 I have never come across this bird myself, but the Museum possesses 

 some skins labelled Travancore, so I include it in my list. 



(158) Ceryle varia. — The Indian Pied Kingfisher. 

 Blanford, No. 1033; Jerdon, No. 136. 

 Common along the backwaters. 



