A VISIT TO NARCONDAM. G21 



times that number might easily have been shot but I refrained from killing more 

 owing to the rarity of the species. This Hornbill, restricted as it is to an area 

 of under three square miles must be, judging from the number of individuals, 

 one of the rarest, if not the rarest, bird in the world. 



At a liberal estimate there cannot be more than about 200 Hornbills on 

 Narcondam. 



(2). Palceomis magnirostris (The Large Andaman Paroquet). 



This Paroquet which is so common in the Andamans is also fairly numerous 

 on Narcondam. It keeps chiefly to the top of lofty trees and is difficult to 

 procure. 



The only species of Paroquet previously recorded from this island is P. tytleri 

 (The Red-cheeked Andaman Paroquet). I know this species well but neithei 

 heard nor saw anything of it — so I am inclined to think a mistake was made and 

 that the only species is P. magnirostris. 



(i>). Aracnecthra audamanica (The Andaman Sun-bird). 



This little honey-sucker is the commonest bird on the island. It chiefly frt,- 

 quents the coast. 



(4). Myristicivora bicolor (The Pied Imperial Pigeon). 



This fine conspicuous pigeon is fairly common especially near the shore. 

 Mr. A. O. Hume says it is only a seasonal visitor, though on what grounds 

 I do not know. I should not be surprised to find it proved to be a 

 resident. 



(5). Halcyon pileata (The Black-capped Kingfisher). 



I saw only two specimens of this beautiful Kingfisher, so it is presumably 

 rather rare. 



(6). Collocalia innominala (Hume's Swiftlet). 



I saw a number of these Swiftlets hawking flies around the summit of 

 the mountain. They probably breed in the caves along the south coast of the 

 island. 



(7). Lepterodius sacer (The Eastern Reef-Heron). 



This Reef-Heron is fairly common along the coast. 



(8). Halia'etus leucogaster (The White-bellied Sea-Eagle). 



I saw a pair, as well as a young bird in immature plumage. 



(9). Astur (?) species. 



I saw two small hawks circling around the top of the mountain. They 

 resembled Astur in their flight. They may have been merely accidental 

 visitors. 



(10). Clialcophaps indica (The Bronze-winged Dove). 



I shot a single specimen of this dove, the only one I saw. It is apparently 

 very rare. 



(11). Eudynamis honor ata (The Indian Koel). 



I heard and saw a good many Koel. They are undoubtedly, as in the Anda- 

 mans, only cold weather visitors. 

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