( Be) 
bring its reward in due season. Nevertheless Rollers thus set free, 
seem loath to forsake the friendly hand that fed it, so tekes up its 
abode near by the humble Hindu dwelling, where its friendship is 
encouraged, more so, as should the household find themselves in 
straitened circumstances, a sight of a Roller at the great Puja event, 
will suffice, in case of need, to insure a blessing the coming year. 
The Mahamedan on the other hand, attribute uncommon good for- 
tune accompanying a sight of one of these birds on state occasions 
or before events of supreme importance. 
Famity HALCYONID ( Kingfishers) 
Curiously enough we find side by side, with the Coracias, birds of 
varied fortunes of the west; of lucky and Halcyon Days. Kingfishers 
are very interesting group of birds. One or more species must doubt- 
lessly be well-known to you. They are seldom seen at any great ele- 
vation in the district. Kingfishers, usually, frequent warmer valleys 
where fish and aquatic insects are plentiful. They are found on and 
near larger rivers, oftener the Runjeet and the Teesta, usually seen 
flying over the surface, with their beaks, at times, pointed in a verti- 
eal position, ready to plunge head first for small fishes which come near 
the surface of the water; or perched on a half submerged rock 
beside a roaring torrent, silently looking down into the eddies or 
calms made by the troubled waters of a hill stream, for fish rising 
to the surface. These birds appear quite unconcerned at the splash- 
ing, boiling, volume of water at their feet. Bill is very long, angular, 
straight and pointed; gape wide; wings rounded; tail short; tarsi 
and toes short and feeble. A few species of these birds are fairly 
plentiful in the district; but the greater number of them appear 
to be more at home in the plains and under sweltering skies. The 
two species which are more frequently met with, are the tiny A/cedo 
Bengalensis, and the big Guttata. Halcyon fuscus, Coromandelianus 
and Ceyr tridactyle are seen only on rare occasions. 
(134) ALCEDO BENGALENSIS, Common Indian Kingfisher, is to be 
found in most parts of Bengal, one might say, wherever small 
fishes are obtainable, whether it be rivers or tanks, ponds or fields 
under water. This small kingfisher frequents our big rivers in the 
(district ; but does not ascend beyond the valleys. Nevertheless it 
seems to appreciate wild torrents at foot of the hills, quite as much 
as the peaceful mill ponds in the plains. This species is 62 inches in 
length ; bill of lcedo is long, slender, straight and compressed ; tail 
very short; legs and toes feeble, the latter syndactyle. Bill blackish ; 
irides dark brown; legs (red) orange ; colour of the plumage, above, 
