162 JOURNAL, BOMB A Y NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XVIT+ 



the Rain tree — Pithecolobium samari). Watched a bird excavating such a 

 hole in January, but it was subsequently deserted. 



1000. Thriponax liodgii, — The Andaman Black Woodpecker. 

 Fairly common in high forest throughout the main Islands. Frequents 

 lofty forest trees, whence the sound of its resonant tapping on some dead: 

 branch may be heard half a mile away. 



Found a nest in a hole in a dead tree 20 feet from the ground containing 

 two fresh eggs, pure glossy white, measuring 1 - I3"x0"82" and r03"x0*81,. 

 respectively. 



1025. Eurystomus orientalis. — The Broad-billed Roller. 

 Eather rare but widely distributed. Frequents clearings in high forest. 



1027. Merops philippinus. — The Blue-tailed Bee-eater. 

 Not common. I saw a few individuals near Port Blair in March and also 

 on Narcondam in October. They were probably only in migration at the 

 time and do not seem to stop in the Andamans. 



1030. MeliUophagus sivinhoii. — The Chestnut-headed Bee-eater. 

 Very common in and around Port Blair. They are chiefly seen in pairs. 

 B reed in holes in banks, which often penetrate to a depth of 4 feet. The 

 eggs are of the usual bee-eater type, 3 to 5 in number, pure white, round and. 

 glossy. 



They vary from 0'83" to 0-95" in length and from 0-72" to 0*79" in breadth,, 

 the mean of 20 eggs being 0-89"x0'76". 



1035. Alceclo ispida. — The Common Kingfisher. 

 Not nearly so common as the next species. Have seen a few around Port 

 Blair. 



103G. Alcedo oeavani. — Bea van's Kingfisher. 



Common both on salt and fresh water creeks and streams. They are late 



breeders, all the nests seen by me being taken between June 25 and July 15.. 



The eggs, usually 5 in number, are glossy broad ovals. In length they 



vary from 0*82" to 076 " and in breadth from 0'62" to 0-71", the mean of 20- 



eggs being 0-78" x 0-68". 



1040. Ceyx tridactyla. — The Indian Three-toed Kingfisher. 

 This lovely little King-fisher is certainly very rare in the Andamans. I 

 have only once come across it when following up a small rocky stream in 

 dense forest below Mount Harriet. This was on May 27th, and the bird was- 

 disturbed excavating a nest hole in the bank, which, however, was afterwards 

 abandoned. 



1043. Pelargopsis gurial. — The Brown-headed Stork-billed Kingfisher. 

 Fairly common, especially on brackish creeks. I did not come across its nest. 



1044. Halcyon smyrnensis. — The White-breasted Kingfisher. 

 One of the commonest birds in the Islands, especially near Port Blair.. 

 Breeds in April and May, the nest holes being in banks 2 to 3 feet deep. 



The eggs vary from 1'IG" to P27" in length and from TOO" to 1*09" ia 

 breadth, the mean of 10 eggs being 1*22" X 1*05". 



