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quent water, which however seems oniy because they draw their 

 food from that element. The Kilkila is very common throughout 

 the N.W. Provinces, attaching itself generally to pools of water, but 

 frequently also to other places. I have ofteu seen a pair attach 

 themselves to my compound, and sit vvatching for hours at a time on 

 some stiek projeeting from a " ehopper " or the branch of a tree in 

 the compound, for hzards and mice, which I have seen them fly at 

 aud catch, and swallow after kiUing them by beating them against 

 the stiek they perch on. 



This bird becomes very farailiar where it is not molested. It is 

 easily caught with hme-twigs baited with a mouse or a mole-cricket. 



16. Ceryle varia, Strickl. Native name, Sufid Kilkila. 



This Kingfisher is very numerous, and is evidently a more retired 

 bird than the preccding, and is ouly to be seen over rivers and large 

 lakęs, and seldom, if ever, near the habitations of men ; over the 

 former it may be seen hoveriug with its wings in rapid motion, ba- 

 lancing itself in the air whilst watching the fish, on which it plunges 

 with the swiftness of lightning. If successful, it flies to the nearest 

 bank and eats its prey at leisure ; if not, it flies on a short distance, 

 with its eyes fixed on the water till another fish attracts its atten- 

 tion, when it repeats its former manceuvre. Koureealah is another 

 name applied by the natives to this bird. 



17. TcHiTREA PARADisi, Linn. Native name, Taklah. 



Dr. Murray says that the chestnut and the white bird are the 

 šame species in different stages of growth ; that the chestnut is the 

 colour of the young one, and that when they moult they become 

 white. The proof he gives is, that he has shot specimens during 

 their moult, when they are partly clothed in their old chestnut, and 

 partly in the new white dress. 



I saw a pair, one white and the other cinnamon, followiug each 

 other, and I should say they were malė and female. 



This bird can elevate its crest at pleasure. In general it is re- 

 cumbent. 



18. Pericrocrotus speciosus, Lath. Native name, Shah- 

 Sakhi-Kapi. 



These birds are very restless, and freąuent the tops of high trees, 

 and ever chasing their prey. They generally fly in pairs. The 

 natives assert that the malė has seven females in bis train, whence 

 it has the above name, and also Skah Sakeli Ka-jhumka. 



19. Rhipidura albo-frontata, Frankl. Native name, Sham- 

 chiri. 



Extremely conimon in Brindabun, and I have seen it on the 

 banks of the Jumna. It is very volatile and agile. It has a loud 

 clear-chantinc; whistle. 



