Birds of Kohat and K tor am. 251 



Passes through Kohat in April and tlie beginning of ^lay, 

 returning in August and September. Possibly a few pairs 

 nest round Thall; several were eertaiuly there up to the 

 time that I left (May 20th), and Capt. Keen informs me 

 that he saw some there in July. This species breeds freely 

 in the Kurrara Valley from 3000 to 7000 feet. Towards the 

 end of July, when nesting-operations were over, flocks of 

 from ten to forty used to fly up the valleys of the Safed 

 Koh to tree-limit (12,000 feet) every morning, and return 

 at dusk. 



[1033 ] Ceryle varia. The Indian Pied Kiug6sher. 



Rattray, J. B. N, II. S. xii. p. 342 (common at Thall : 

 nests in JMarch) ; Ward, op. cit. xvii. p. 725 (very common 

 up to 6000 ft.). 



A resident, but not very common, though found along 

 most of the streams of the District, and in the Kurram 

 Valley at least up to Dandar (4700 feet). 



[1035.] Alcedo ispida. The Common Kingfisher. 



Rattray, J. B. N. H. S. xii. p. 342 (Thall: an uncommon 

 resident) ; Marshall, op. cit. xv. p. 351 (Quetta : common in 

 spring) ; Gumming, op. cit. xvi. p. 689 (a common resident 

 in Seistan) ; Ward, op. cit. xvii. p. 725 (abundant in Kashmir 

 up to 6000 ft.). 



The Kingfisher is common in cold weather, even about 

 cantonments, and, never being molested, shews little fear of 

 man. 



It nests fairly commonly in the Miranzai and Kurram 

 Valleys, but only a few pairs stay to breed in the plains 

 around Kohat. It may often be seen hovering over water 

 after the manner of Ceryle varia, if no perch is available. 



[104i.] Halcyon smyrnensis. The White-breasted Kin<;- 

 fisher. 



Rattray, J. B. N. H. S. xii. p. 342 (Thall: common); 

 Ward, op. cit. xvii. p. 725 (occurs in Pooncli). 



Abundant in Kohat and up to Sadda (3500 feet) in the 

 Kurram Valley. A permanent resident. This bird picks up 



