Descriptive List of Birds 



It quarters the water in search of fish. Every 

 now and then it hovers on rapidly vibrating 

 wings. If it espies a fish in the water below, 

 its pinions cease quivering and it drops like 

 a stone into the water. Sometimes it checks its 

 fall and flies to another spot where it repeats 

 the operation. It is impossible to mistake this 

 bird. Its colouring and habits are unique. 



128. Alcedo ispida : The Common King- 

 fisher. F. 1035, J. 134, II, but tail very short. 

 E. W. K. 



Head and nape blue with faint black cross- 

 bars. Back bright, glistening pale blue. Tail 

 dark blue. Wings greenish-blue. Sides of 

 head show streaks of red, blue, black and white. 

 Chin cream-coloured. Rest of lov/er parts 

 rust-coloured. Bill black. Legs coral-red. 

 Neck and tail short. 



This bird squats on a bank, or a branch over- 

 hanging water, watching for fish. As it sits 

 its head bobs up and down. When it espies 

 a fish it dives into the water. Its call is a shrill 

 scream. 



This bird occurs on all the larger hill streams 



up to about 5500 feet. It is very common on 



the Kashmir lakes, and is fond of perching on 



the heads of lotus flowers and on house-boats. 



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