562 JOURNAL, BOMB A Y NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XII. 



likely little streams and backwaters in the jungle I never saw another, Mr. 

 Blanford says it also occurs in tlic Nicobars. 



Mr. Hume's party did not meet with it ; Mr. Davison only saw one during 

 his stay in the islands, which too, had flown into a building. 



1042. Pelargopsis leucocephala, Gm. Blanf., Ill, p. 129 5 "Str. 

 Feath.," II, p. 166. 



Occurs on the southern islands of the Nicobar group, frequenting the 

 seashore and tidal creeks. Mr. Hume says that even Avhere it does occur 

 it is rare, and appears to be excessively wary and difficult to procure. Mr. 

 Blanford considers Nicobar and Borneo birds identical. 



1043. Pelargopsis guarial, Pearson. Blanf., Ill, p. 129; '• Str. Feath.," 

 II, p. 165. 



Not uncommon on the mangrove bordered tidal creeks of the Andaman 

 but wild and hard to shoot. It does not appear to occur in the Nicobars. 



1044. Halcyon smyrnensis, Linn. Blanf., Ill, p. 132 ; " Str. Feath.," 

 II, p. 167. 



This Kingfisher is excessively common in the Andamans. It would hardly 

 be exaggerating to say that anywhere in the open, one is seldom out of 

 sight of two or three, while one can often count seven or eight in ^ight at 

 once. I have sometimes seen it hover over water for some seconds, like 

 Ceryle rudis, and then dart obliquely into the water and catch a fish. 



Being so numerous it often happens that when one leaves his perch to 

 pick up a crab or an insect, he finds it occupied on his return by another, 

 who evidently coveted his neighbour's post of observation and took 

 the first opportunity to obtain it. The new comer receives the 

 rightful owner with threatening open bill and a harsh note of defiance, 

 and, being hampered by the mouthful he wants to swallow the original 

 occupant of the coveted stump always gives way, the usurper remaining 

 in possession. 

 1045. Halcyon pileata, Bodd. Blanf., Ill, p. 133; " Str. Feath.," II, p. 168. 



The beautiful Black-capped Purple Kingfisher occurs, though very rare 

 in the Andamans and Nicobars and on Narcondam. I did not meet with a 

 single specimen. 



1046. Callialcyon lilacina, Swains. Blanf., Ill, p. 1 34 ; " Str. Feath.", II, 

 p. 169. 



Less rare perhaps than the last, but very uncommon. I did not come 

 across this Kingfisher either. Mr. Hume says that it affects the gloom of the 

 mangrove swamps. 



1047. Sauropatis chloris, Bodd. Blanf., Ill, p. 135; *' Str. Feath ," II, 

 p. 170. 



Extremely common along the seashore and up the tidal creeks in the 

 Andamans. Mr. Blanford says the nests are said to be made under a stone 

 or bush, but Davison found one at Mergui in a deserted ants' nest occupied 



