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 BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHER. 



HALCYON PILEATUS (bODD.) 



Description. — Length about 12 

 inches. 



Bill and legs red. Iris dark brown ; 

 a few white feathers under the eyes. 



The back is brilliant blue. Head 

 and wing coverts black. Wing quills 

 blue at the base, black at the tip ; 

 there is lighter patch on the middle of 

 the primaries (except the first which 

 is wholly black), light blue on the 

 outer webs and white on the inner weba 

 of each feather. A complete collar 

 of nearly white surrounds the 

 neck. The throat is white. Rest of 

 under parts rufous buff. 



In young birds and some females 

 there are black spots on the sides of 

 the breast. 



Distribution. — India, Philippines, 

 and the whole of China. It is a 

 summer visitant in the Yangtse Valley. 



Nest and Eggs. — This bird nests in 

 holes in the earth and lays nearly 

 spherical white eggs similar to those of 

 the other Kingfishers. 



Notes. — This Kingfisher is frequently 

 to be met with in suitable locations, 

 but cannot be called at all common. 

 Its brilliant colors make it a beautiful 

 sight and as it flashes at its prey in the 

 water, it looks like a streak of blue. 

 All of these birds are very patient 

 sitters, but woe betide the fish that 

 happens to come frisking by as they sit 

 waiting for it. Some insist that they 

 never miss one when they make an 

 attempt, but we are inclined to believe 

 that they do sometimes miss. 



