488 Mr. R. B. Sharpe on Birds from Fao. 



63. CoRACiAS GARRULA, L. ; Blanf. t. c. p. 125. 



[No. 29. Migratory, passing over in large flocks from 

 S.E. to N.W. in May. An occasional bird roosts here at 

 this time. In September and October they return, but in 

 very small numbers, and stay for a short while. 



The Arabs say they breed about thirty miles up the river, 

 in holes in the date-trees ; but though I have offered high 

 rewards for their eggs, I have not been able to get any.] 



64. CoRACiAs iNDiCA, L. ; Blanf. t. c. p. 126. 

 [No. 29 (sic). Migratory. 



Only two specimens seen and shot — one on the Persian 

 side of the river, and the other (sent to the Museum) at 

 Fao, on an old fort a short distance from the telegraph 

 buildings,] 



65. Alcedo bengalensis, Gm.; Blanf. t.c. p. 121. 



[No. 1. A young bird, which I believe to belong to A. ben- 

 galensis rather than to A. ispida. I was not careful enough, 

 apparently, in noticing the difference between this bird and 

 the specimen I supplied to the Karachi Museum, which has 

 been identified by Mr. Murray as ''Alcedo ispida." Probably 

 both arrive and stay the same time, i. e. from August to 

 April. 



In 1883 the first bird was seen on the 4th of August ; 

 after this, up to April 1884, I saw several of these small 

 Kingfishers perched on the willow and other trees over- 

 hanging the creeks. I have no note of having seen them 

 later than April. In 1884 the first observed was on the 11th 

 of August.] 



66. Halcyon smyrnensis (L.) ; Blanf. /. c. p. 121. 



No. 2. Arriving and leaving about same time as Alcedo 

 bengalensis. 



[First bird observed in 1883 was on the 2nd of August, and 

 the last noted Avas on the 4th of April, 1884; from this time 

 up to the 30th of July I have no note of having observed 

 any. On the 30th of July I heard the bird, and saw one the 

 following day. It breeds, I believe, above Busreh. I have 

 shot young birds in August.] 



