AND TYPES OF EGGS. 17 



Some frequent forests, and some open plains, but as a rule they are seldom 

 found far from water, except the common bee eater (M. mridis), which is 

 found everywhere in the plains. They make no nest, and lay very round 

 pure white egg-s in deep holes in banks or in level ground. Sometimes 

 old rat holes are used, but often they excavate for themselves. They 

 are permanent residents, and the breeding of all, except the blue-ruffed 

 bee eater (N. athertoni) , is well known. They are generally, though not 

 always, gregarious and breed in colonies. 



Rollers, (Coracias, Eurystomus}. Lay round white eggs in 

 holes in decayed trees. They are not migratory as a rule, though they 

 sometimes wander in the cold season far from their breeding haunts. 

 The common roller (C. indica), the " jay" of Englishmen in India, often 

 breeds about houses. It is a well-known and conspicuous bird. 



Kingfishers, (Pelargopsis, Halcyon, Ceyx, Todiramphus, Alcedo, 

 Ceryle).A.?Q essentially non-migratory. Wherever they are found they 

 breed. They lay round white eggs in deep holes in banks, making no 

 nest. Many species are found in India, but most of them are very 

 local; and partly owing to their rarity, partly owing to the unhealthiness 

 of the localities, they affect during the breeding season. The nests of 

 only a few species have as yet been discovered in this country. The 

 kingfishers in India all belong to genera, which keep near water and 

 breed in holes in banks. Some genera belonging to other countries 

 inhabit forests, and lay their eggs in holes in decayed trees. Here, though 

 banks of rivers or canals are by far the most approved localities, instances 

 have occurred of eggs being found in holes in the sides of wells, in 

 banks of ponds, and even in mud walls in a village. 



BroadbillS, (Psarisomus, Serilophus.) The nidification of 

 these birds is little known. They appear generally to build a globular 

 or pear-shaped nest,* hanging from the tips of boughs, and lay white eggs. 

 Only two species occur (P. dalhousice and C. rubropygia), both con- 

 fined to the Eastern Himalayas, and both rather rare, though permanent 

 residents. They affect oak forests and keep to the tops of trees. 



HombillS, (Homraius, Rhyticeros, Hydrocissa, Meniceros, 

 TocJcus^ Aceros). These are the "toucans" of Englishmen in India. 

 They inhabit forests or wooded- country; and where they occur are per- 

 manent residents. They all nestle in holes in decayed trees generally 

 at a considerable height from the ground. The entrance to the hole is 



* See frontispiece. 



