Birds of the Jhelum District. 83 



[Iris red ; feet purplish brown; bill black. This appears 

 to belong to the race M. v. beltidschicus. — C B. T.'] 



Merops philippintis. The Blue-tailed Bee-eater. 



702.3.4.1913. Jhelum. S- Wing 129 mm. 



753.7.6 1913. „ S- „ 135 mm. 



783. 9.7.1913 „ ^. „ 138 mm. 



A common summer resident, found throughout the district 

 including the Salt Range, but most generally observed in 

 the neighbourhood of water. It arrives in April, being 

 first seen on the 6th, and is abundant by the end of the 

 month ; it leaves again in September. However, I saw two 

 flights, apparently of this species, in October, namely, on 

 the '4th and the 11th. 



Merops persicus. The Blue-cheeked Bee-eater. 



847.7.9.1913. Lilla. Imm. Wing 132 mm. 



Several immature birds of this species were noticed about 

 Lilla on September 7. 



[Iris vinous brown; feet dark plumbeous; bill black. 

 Just commenced the body-moult. — C. B. T.] 



Ceryle varia. The Indian Pied Kingfisher. 



724. 11.5.1913. Jhelum. Wing 139 mm. 



A common resident, met with almost invariably in pairs 

 along the river, where it breeds in the banks. I dug out 

 six eggs from a burrow on February 8. Many nests suffer 

 from the erosion of the banks ; this seems to be the only 

 check on their increase. 



[This is the C. rudis leucomelanura Reichenb., with the 

 basal half of the tail pure white and the underparts with 

 roundish black spots. — C. B. T.'\ 



Alcedo ispida. The Common Kingfisher. 



772. 1.7.1913. Chua Saidan Shah. ? . Wing 75 mm. 



Met with occasionally throughout the year, both in the 

 Salt Range and by the Jhelum River. 



[Iris dark brown; feet orange-red, claws black; bill 

 black above, dusky flesh-colour below. Had recently laid. 

 This belongs to the form A. ispida bengalensis. — C B. T.] 



G 2 



