THE BIRDS OF NORTH KANARA, 45 



1033. Ceryle varia, Strickl. 



By no means common in Kanara. Occasionally noticed, however, 

 along the rivers below Ghats from Ankola southwards ; also in the 

 extreme east of the district. I took a nest with five eggs near Honawar 

 in January. 



1035. Alcedo ispida, Linn. 



Common throughout the district. It breeds abundantly about Karwar 

 in July, and above Ghats in March and April. 



1036. Alcedo BEAViNi, Wald. 



I have no right to include this species as 1 have never procured a 

 specimen. I feel, however, certain I saw a single specimen near Nil- 

 kund in January, 1896. It flew out of a thick ferny bank above a 

 small stream bordering a supari garden, surrounded on both sides by 

 dense evergreen forest. It was quite close to me when it flew out, and 

 as I had a gun in my hand I might have shot it flying, but I was very 

 anxious to kill it, and did not like to risk a shot. It only flew sixty 

 or seventy yards and lit on the bank among the thick ferns. It sat 

 there till I was quite close and darted round a corner before I could 

 cover it. Where it went I could not discover, and though I waited 

 an hour or so it never came back. Its small size and bright pale 

 colour were very striking, and I have no doubt as to its having been 

 correctly identified. 



1043. Pelargopsis gurial, Pears. 



A fairly common bird everywhere in Kanara, except the extreme 

 east. I have taken eggs near Sirsi in April, 



1044. Halcyon smyrnensis, Linn. 



Intensely common everywhere in Kanara. It is a grasshopper 

 eater, and is often found breeding far away from any water. Half a 

 dozen nests may be taken any day in March or April almost any 

 place above Ghats. 



1045. Halcyon pileata, Bodd. 



This handsome kingfisher is rare in Kanara, and I cannot be quite 

 sure whether it is or is not a permanent resident. The few specimens 

 I have seen have all been single, but they have practically been at all 

 seasons but the very hot weather. I have notes of the following : — 



Chitakuli (three miles north of Karwar on the coast). Two speci- 

 mens shot on different days and at different places in November, 1894. 



