386 AVIFAUNA OF CHOTA NAGPUR. 



mewing of a cat. It pursues and catches insects on the wing 

 like the Mnsicapce. The stomach of the present specimen was 

 crammed full of them." 



This bird does not appear to have been obtained or even 

 seen by any subsequent observer in Chota Nagpur. 



MEROPID-^E. 



46.— Merops viridis, Lin. (117.) 



The Common Indian Bee-eater is one of the most abundant 

 birds in Chota Nagpur. In general the rufous tinge of the 

 head is well developed. 



Captain Beavan says that it breeds in Manbhum at the begin- 

 ning of April. 



47.— Merops philippensis, Lin. (118.) 



The Blue-tailed Bee-eater is very rare in Chota Nagpur. 

 I have only met with it in the western parts of the Division, 

 where I saw and obtained a few specimens in March and 

 April. 



48. — Merops Swinhoei, Hume, nee quinticolor. 

 (119.) 



I met with but one pair of the Chesnut-headed Bee-eater in 

 Chota Nagpur. This was on the 13th of March in well -wooded 

 hills near the village of Paharbulla in Sirguja. The male 

 which I shot measures as follows : — 



Wing 4-1 ; tail 33; bill at front 12. 



CORACIAML 



49.— Coracias indica, Lin. (123.) 



The Indian Roller is very common in Chota Nagpur, especially 

 in the open cultivated portions. In the wilder hilly districts 

 it is rarely met with. Breeds, according to Captain Beavan, in 

 the station of Bancoorah in April. 



HALCYONIDjE. 



50.— Pelargopsis gurial, Fears. (127.) 



The Brown-headed Kingfisher is met with occasionally in 

 Chota Nagpur. It appeared to be most abundant in Sirguja. 



In the Rajmehal hills and also in the Satpuras I met with a 

 few couples. 



On one occasion only have I seen this bird plunge into water. 

 I have no Chota Nagpur specimens in my collection at 



