22 THE BIRDS OF THE LUCKNOW CIVIL DIVISION. 
water in the side cuttings, it may be seen along the railway, 
sitting occasionally on the telegraph wires or posts, but usually 
on the babool trees (planted as a line fence) overlooking the 
pools. It does not dive for fish—habitually at least; and, though 
it may catch them occasionally, it appears to depend more upon 
grasshoppers, &c., for food. It doubtless breeds here, but I 
have never found its nest. 
134,—Alcedo bengalensis, Gm. 
13th December, Male.—Length, 6°50; expanse, 10°30; 
wing, 2°75; tail, 14; tarsus, 0°3; bill, from gape, 1°8. Bill, 
above horny, below vermilion ; legs and feet bright vermilion ; 
irides brown. 
The Common Indian Kingfisher is, here, fairly common and 
a permanent resident. It frequents jhils and rivers, and also 
the side cuttings along the railway so long as these contain 
water, perching occasionally on the telegraph wires. Unlike 
the last species, it is never seen away from water, unless when 
migrating from one locality to another; is an expert fisher, 
living principally upon small fish and tadpoles, and never, 
according to my observation, condescends to scramble on the 
eround after grasshoppers and locusts. I know nothing regard- 
ing its nidification, except that it is said to breed in holes in 
river banks from March to May. 
136.—Ceryle rudis, Zin. 
The Pied Kingfisher is exceedingly common on all rivers and 
jhils, and is, of course, a permanent resident. 
Unlike the last two species, it lives, I think, absolutely on 
small fish, which it invariably searches for on the wing and cap- 
tures by a perpendicular plunge into the water. As a preliminary 
to diving, it usually hovers for a while over its intended victim, 
as if to make sure of its aim, and rarely misses its object. It 
often remains under the water for a considerable time, where, 
perhaps, it continues the pursuit, as it seldom emerges without a 
fish, which it carries to the nearest perching place—generally a 
tree or some elevated portion of the banks—and devours, or if 
small swallows, on the wing. It breeds from February to April 
in holes in the banks of rivers and jhils. 
144.—Ocyceros birostris, Scop. Native name— 
Chakotra. 
11k October, Male.—Length, 26°; expanse, 29°75; wing, 
8°80; tail, 12°37; tarsus, 2°; bill, from gape, 3°60; weight, 
13°25 oz. Irides reddish-brown ; legs dark plumbeous. 
