( 48 ) 

 THE COMMON KINGFISHER. 



This is the same as the European bird but slightly smaller. To be 

 found along mo^t streams, and very partial to the irrigating chan- 

 nels in paddy-fields. It is the small kingfisher with a bright-blue 

 back, chestnut breast and black bill, and is about seven inches in 

 length. 



(No, 1035. Alcedo ispida.) 



THE THREE TOED KINGFISHER. 



Not a common bird by any means, but as I have procured it near 

 Rangoon others might notice it. It is the handsomest and smallest 

 of them all, being about five inches in length. Head and lower back 

 a rich orange red with a violet gloss, wings and back blue, under 

 parts pale chestnut, chin and throat white, bill and feet a bright red 



(No. 1040. Ceyx tridactyla.) 



BROWN-HEADED STORK-BILLED KINGFISHER. 



A giant compared to the last, being about fifteen inches in length. 

 It has a large heavy bill, head brown, back greenish blue, tail blue, 

 under parts buff coloured. Fairly common in well-wooded localities, 

 and I have seen it on the Rangoon lakes. It has a very loud harsh 

 cry, which may often be heard when travelling by boat up country. 



(No. 1043. P. Gurial). 



THE WHITE BREASTED KINGFISHER. 



Perhaps the commonest aud noisiest of the whole family and 

 generally to be found away from water, having taken to living on 

 land insects. It has loud, harsh cries, and sometimes thinks it can 

 sing, perching itself in some high tree and there screaming for all it is 

 worth. It has also been reported to have taken to nesting in trees in 

 some places. Possibly, like the Australian Jackass, it is In a state of 

 transition, and ages hence may develop into a bird of the Roller 

 type. 



It is very common over the whole country, though not ascending 

 the hills, and often may be seen round houses and compounds. 



It is a handsome blue bird about ten inches in length, with a red 

 bill, chestnut head and neck, and white breast. 



(No. 1044. Halcyon smyrnensis.) 



