of the Calcutta District. 59 



7Q. CiPSELUS AFFixis. (Indian Swift.) 



Very common, universally distributed, and resident. Their 

 eggs may probably be found all the year round, but I think 

 the greater number breed during the rains. Many build on 

 the rafters which support the roof of Serampore Station, 

 E. I. Railway. 



77. Cypselus BATAssiENSis. (Palm Swift.) 



Common, but rarely found at any distance from the trees 

 in which they breed. They are said only to breed in " tar " 

 trees [Borassus flabelliformis) , but I think it likely that 

 they might be found breeding in cocoanut-palms, as I have 

 seen the birds round plantations of these trees, and at a 

 great distance from any " tar " trees. Multitudes of bats 

 usually inhabit the " tar " trees, and I have even disturbed 

 a pair of Nightjars and a couple of small Owls when trying 

 to get at some Swifts' nests. 



78. Caprimulgus ALBONOTATUs. (Large Bengal Nightjar.) 

 Fairly plentiful and resident. This species is usually found 



among trees and bushes, but is not the commonest Nightjar 

 found in the district, which is a smaller bird, about the size 

 of C. eurojjceus, and inhabits patches of sugar-cane, bushes, 

 grass-jungle, and is even found in compounds. 



79. Caprimulgus asiaticus. (Common Indian Nightjar.) 

 Fairly plentiful and resident, usually found in country 



similar to that which C. albonotatus affects. 



80. CoRACiAS iNDicA. (Indian Roller or Blue Jay.) 

 Plentiful, universally distributed, and resident. Breeds 



during the hot season, in March, April, and May, in holes 

 in trees, especially in the broken-off tops of dead palm-trees. 

 They are exceedingly wary at the nest, but as they do not 

 venture very far from it when breeding, if a bird is to be seen 

 in the vicinity of a dead palm-tree, the nest is pretty certain 

 to be in it. The nest is made of a considerable quantity 

 of fine sticks, roots, grass, and even bits of paper and rag. 



81. Merops viRiDis. (Green Bee-eater.) 



Very common, generally distributed, and resident. I 



