on the Birds of South-eastern China. 181 



Ceryle varia. 



This Kingfisher is confined to fresh water, or at any rate 

 to such parts as are only slightly brackish, as where a con- 

 siderable freshwater stream debouches into the sea. 



It is a resident, and it makes its nesting-hole almost 

 always in the main banks of the river, but has been known 

 to bore into a sandy cliff on the sea-shore or into a baidc 

 of disintegrated granite on a hill-side. The nesting-hole is 

 usually from three to five feet in length, Avith the usual nest- 

 cavity at its extremity. 



In time of heavy flood many Kingfishers^ holes become 

 inundated. It was found, however, that when a hole had 

 been laid open the old birds were able to transport their 

 young to another, probably in their beaks. 



After the first egg is laid, one bird always remains in the 

 nesting-hole to guard it against rats, but incubation is not 

 commenced until the full clutch is laid. The male sleeps in 

 a separate hole. 



Fresh eggs have been found as early as Feb, 16, and as 

 late as May 12, but the usual time for laying is from 

 early March to the middle of April. This species is 

 single-brooded, and a full clutch of eggs is four or five. 



Eggs vary in length from \'27 to 1*03 and in breadth 

 from "99 to •93, and average 1*19 x 96. 



Ceryle lugubris. 



This large Kingfisher is rather sparingly distributed in 

 suitable localities in Kwang Tung and Kwang Si. It was 

 noticed at several places on the West River, including 

 Ilowlik and Tam Chan, above Wuchau. 



In the New Territory it was seen several times, and on 

 one occasion, as it flew from one side to another of a small 

 rocky inlet, near Tolo Harbour, it seemed as if it might 

 sometimes fish in the sea, though usually it is confined to 

 fresh water. Its nest and eggs were not obtained. 



Its cry is a metallic twitter, and not loud for the size of 

 the bird. 



