54 Mr. W. Jesse on the 



individuals occur on the streams and rivers of the Division. 

 It must breed here, but I have never found the nest. I once 

 saw this bird hovering over the water before diving, after the 

 manner of Ceryle varia. 



No. 1043. Pelargopsis gurial. Brown-headed Stork- 

 billed Kingfisher. 



Badami Kowrilla [H.]. 



" The Brown-headed Kingfisher is by no means abundant 

 and never, I think, frequents water that is not well shaded 

 by trees. One that I shot, and, with an exception or two, 

 the only one which. I have ever seen, was dodging about a tank 

 surrounded on all sides by dense bamboo-jungle. I know 

 nothing regarding the bird's habits or nidification, and 

 cannot say whether it is a permanent resident or not. It 

 probably is." — G. Reid. 



I fancy that it is a mere straggler from the Bengal side. 

 I have never come across it. 



No. 1044. Halcyon smyrnensis. White-breasted King- 

 fisher. 



Reid remarked that this Kingfisher was fairly abundant, 

 but, though not rare, I consider it to be far from common. 

 It is much less aquatic than the other Kingfishers, and is 

 often to be met with in mango-topes, where it doubtless 

 goes in search of insects. On most of the occasions when 

 I have seen it, my attention has been attracted by hearing its 

 characteristic scream as it was flying from one grove to 

 another. No doubt it breeds in the Division, but I have 

 never found the nest. 



" During the rainy season, and as long as there is water 

 in the side cuttings, it may be seen along the railways, 

 sitting occasionally on the telegraph wires or posts, but 

 usually on the babool-trees (planted as a line fence) over- 

 looking the pools. It does not dive for fishes — habitually, 

 at least ; and though it may catch them occasionally, it 

 appears to depend more upon grasshoppers, &c. for food/-' — 

 G. Reid. 



