alcedinin^. 231 



The Common Indian Kingfisher. 



Descr. — Head and hind-neck dusky, the feathers edged with 

 pale blue; a rufous band from the base of the nostrils to the end of 

 the ear-coverts ; below this a dark band, extending down the sides 

 of the neck, followed by a white patch; scapulars dull green ; back, 

 rump, and upper tail-coverts, pale blue ; wings and tail dull 

 green-blue ; the wing-coverts speckled with pale blue; quills dusky 

 on their inner edges ; chin and throat white ; the rest of the lower 

 plumage bright ferruginous. In young birds a bluish green tinge 

 is the prevalent tint ; in adults, a pure blue. 



Bill blackish above, orange beneath ; irides dark brown ; legs 

 orange red. Length 6^ to 7 inches ; wing 2f ; tail 1 j^^ , | inch 

 longer than wing; bill at front ly*y. 



This Indian Kingfisher, so nearly allied to the common 

 European one, is spread throughout the whole of India, Ceylon, 

 the Indo-Chinese region, Malayana, and even China. It is quite a 

 diminutive of the European bird ; and frequents rivers, brooks, 

 tanks, irrigated paddy-fields, and ditches by the road side, perch- 

 ing on a tree or post, a stone, or a telegraph wire. It dives 

 obliquely on its prey, which consists of small fish, tadpoles, and 

 aquatic insects. It breeds in deep holes in banks of rivers ; Buch. 

 Hamilton states, also in mud walls, and that it lays 6 or 7 pinkish- 

 white round eggs. Layard remarks that many are taken in Ceylon 

 by a net placed under water, for sale in China. 



I have seen specimens, in which there was a good deal of white 

 on the head, back of neck, and back. 



135. Alcedo euryzona, Temm. 



PI. Col. text— A. nigricans, Blyth, J. A. S. XVI, 1180, Cat. 

 212 (the young)— A. grandis, Blyth, J. A. S. XIV. 190, and Cat. 

 211 (the adult) — Horsf., Cat. 161 — A. cairulea, G3iel., apud 



BONAP. > 



The Great Indian Kingfisher, 



Descr. — Very like the last, the ground-color darker and more 

 black, and the spots therelorc appear brighter ; the back and rump 



