228 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



This genus, though not admitted by Horsfield, is, I think, a very 

 good one. To a peculiar form of bill is added a distinct style of 

 coloration ; and the group is Oceanic in its distribution, one species 

 only coming to the Eastern edge of our province. 



The bill, in most, is dark ; whilst in true Halcyon it is red. The 

 Australian members of the group are said to have the food and 

 habits of Halcyon, and to breed in holes of trees. 



132. Todiramphus coUaris, Scop. 



Alcedo, apud Scopoli — Horsf., Cat. 158— Swainson, Zool. 

 111. t. 57 — Bltth, Cat. 206 — A. chlorocephala, Gmelin — A. 

 sacra, Gmel. 



The White-collared Kingfisher. 



Descr. — Head, ears, and nape, dull bluish-green, darker on the 

 ear-coverts and nape, forming a sort of collar, or coronet, slightly 

 separated from the cap by some white feathers mixed with the 

 others ; upper back and scapulars blue-green ; the lower back 

 and rump bright pale blue ; wings and tail blue, more dull on 

 the coverts, and slightly tinged greenish ; beneath, and a broad 

 collar all round the neck, white. 



Bill black, livid-reddish at the base beneath ; irides red-brown ; 

 legs shining greenish-grey. 



Length 9 inches ; wing 4^ ; extent 15 ; tail 2f, 1^ inch longer 

 than wing ; bill at front If. 



The young bird has the feathers of the breast, sides and back of 

 the neck, edged with dusky, and the colors somewhat more dingy. 



This Kingfisher is by no means uncommon in the Bengal 

 Sunderbuns. It is also found in Arakan and along the Tenasserim 

 coast, extending into Malay ana and the Islands. It appears, like 

 the others of this genus, to prefer the vicinity of the sea, or tidal 

 rivers. A specimen, said to be from Madras, is in the Museum 

 of the late E. I. C. ; but I think it doubtful if it was procured on 

 the Madras coast. It appears that the feathers of this species 

 are much prized by the Chinese, who buy the skins at the rate of 

 24 for a dollar. Nothing is recorded of the habits of this bird. 



