84 BIRDS OF TENASSERIM. 



This species is very close to, and runs into, Alcedo beavani, 

 Wald., described under the name of asiatica, S. F., II., p. 174. 



If we compare Andaman specimens of the one, and Singa- 

 pore and Malaccan specimens of the other, we shall find that 

 the birds do not differ in size, but the Andaman males differ 

 in having the blue bars of the head somewhat paler and 

 greener, in having the blue of the back, rump, and upper tail- 

 coverts, a clear smalt blue instead of a deep violet blue as in 

 meninting, and in having the abdomen, breast, and lower tail- 

 coverts a deeper and more intense chestnut. In addition 

 to this the female of beavani differs further from the 

 female of ineninting in having less of the bill red, and in 

 having the cheeks and ear-coverts like the crown, instead of 

 chestnut, as in the Straits' birds. 



Out of the Andamans I do not think that quite typical 

 beavani occurs. I have already, S. F., IV., 383, explained how 

 the Continental form of beavani varies — none of the females 

 having the entire cheeks blue, and birds from Sikkim and 

 Northern Tenasserim exhibiting a depth of color not far short 

 of what is observed in typical meninting. Under the present 

 species I have only entered those specimens which are in- 

 separable in depth of color from Straits' specimens ; they have 

 the same deep purple blue of the entire upper surface, but 

 though much nearer meninting than beavani, they are not typi- 

 cal specimens of the former, because, in several of them, the 

 ferruginous chestnut of the under-surface is as intense as in 

 any beavani, and the females show more or less violet blue 

 mingled with the red of the- cheeks and ear-coverts. Still, as 

 they are manifestly much closer to meninting, I have entered 

 them accordingly. All these specimens were procured at Banka- 

 soon in the extreme south of Tenasserim. 



135 quat.-- Alcedo beavani, Wald. (14). Descr. S. F., 

 11,494; IV, 287,383. 



Sinzaway,- Moulmein ; Amherst ; Yea ; Bankasoon ; Malewoon. 



Occurs sparingly throughout the whole province. 



[In its habits this species is inseparable from meninting. — > 

 W. D.] 



From Bankasoon and from all other localities north- 

 wards of this, to near Pahpoon, we have numerous specimens, 

 which, though far removed from typical Andaman specimens, 

 yet show so much more of a greenish tinge in the blue barring 

 of the head that I think they must be considered to be on the 

 whole closer to the present than to the preceding species. 

 One of these, au adult female from Bankasoon, with the whole 

 of the lower mandible and the base of the upper mandible 



