BIRDS OP TENASSERIM. 81 



[I found this lovely little Kingfisher not at all uncommon in 

 the evergreen forests of the southern portion of Tenasserim, 

 especially in the neighbourhood of Malewoon. Though not un- 

 common, they are difficult to procure, as they remain perfectly 

 still till one is within a few feet of them, when they dart away 

 with great rapidity, uttering a sharp Kingfisher- like note, very 

 similar to that of A. bengalensis, hut much more shrill. 



Though often found along forest streams, it by no means 

 confines itself to these, but is just as often met with in the 

 forest away from water; usually it is found singly, though 

 sometimes in pairs. It never, that I am aware, leaves the forest 

 and goes into the open, nor does it occur apparently in any 

 but the heavy evergreen forests. I have shot it as far south as 

 Malacca. I never found it on the sea coast.— W. D.] 



The following are dimensions, &c, recorded in the flesh : — 



Males. — Length, 5"25 to 5'5 ; expanse, 8'0 to 8'3 ; tail from 

 vent, 0-8 to 1/12; wing, 2-2 to 2'35 ; tarsus, 0*3 to 0*4 ; bill 

 from gape, 1*5 to 1*6 ; weight, 0'62 oz. 



Females. — Length, 5-25 to 5'62 ; expanse, 8*25 to 8"G ; tail 

 from vent, 1*0 to \'%% wing, 2*12 to 2'25; tarsus, 0*3 to 36 ; 

 bill from gape, 1'5 to 1-62 ; weight, 06 oz. 



Bill, legs, and feet bright vermilion red ; irides brown. 



134.— Alcedo bengalensis, Gm. (30). 



(Tonghoo, Karennee, Rams.) Paliehoung ; Kollidoo ; Kyouknyat ; Dargwin ; 



Piihpoon ; Thatone ; Tounzaleen Creek; Moulmein ; Pabyouk ; Paraduba ; 



Meetan ; Amherst; Yea ; Tavoy ; Pabyin ; Mergui ; Pakckan ; Bankasoon ; 

 Malewoon. 



Common throughout the province, but not ascending to 

 quite the summits of the highest hills. 



[This species frequents alike the sea shore, creeks, inland 

 streams and tanks, paddy fields, &c. 



It extends quite to the south of the Malayan Peninsula and 

 Singapore Island, and is equally common everywhere. 

 I have noticed that, on the streams flowing through the dense 

 virgin forest of the southernmost portion of the province, 

 this species, though occasionally met with, is comparatively 

 rare ; it seems to prefer keeping to the open or thinly wood- 

 ed portions of the country. — W. D.] 



135 bis.— Alcedo nigricans, Ely. (5). J. A. S. B., 

 XVI., 1180, 1847. 



Thoungsheyen Sakan ; Bankasoon. 



Rare in Tenasserim ; confined apparently to the neighbour- 

 hood of the bases of the main range of hills, and to the southern 

 half of the province. 



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