BIRDS OF BALUCHISTAN. 157 



during the summer or indeed at any other time, except as mentioned 

 above. It was very remarkable that they should have been then so late in 

 the year, but I am absolutely certain of the identity of the species, as on 

 each occasion they were there for several days and were quite tame so 

 that I could approach within a few yards of them. 



106. Merops 2)hilippinus. — The Blue-tailed B3e-Eater. [1027.] 



I never personally observed this species in the wild state in Baluchistan, 

 but in September 1913 1 saw a specimen in the flesh, which had just been 

 shot and brought in to the Secretary of the MacMahon Museum at Quetta. 

 It appeared to me to be a bird of this species in immature plumage. 



107. Merops persicus. — The Blue-cheeked Bee-Eater. [1028.] 



I have not personally observed this species in Baluchistan, but it 

 certainly occurs there, and there are three specimens in the MacMahon 

 Museum at Quetta, undoubtedly I think of this species. 



108. yierops apiaster. — The European Bee-Eater. [1029.] 



This species is common in Baluchistan. It appears in the Quetta Valley 

 early in April, and leaves again for warmer regions in October. It breeds 

 in the Quetta Valley, and probably all over Bahichistan. It is generally 

 seen in scattered flocks. I obtained several specimens at difl'erent times in 

 various parts of the Quetta Valley. There are 5 specimens of this species 

 in the MacMahon Museum at Quetta. 



Alcedinid^. 



109. Cerijle r«rm.— The Indian Kingfisher. [1033.] 



I observed this species on very few occasions in Baluchistan, and I do 

 not think it is anywhere common. There are 5 specimens of this species in 

 the MacMahon Museum at Quetta. 



110. Alcedo ispeda. — The Common Kingfisher. [1035.] 



A few of these birds are generally to be seen by running streams in 

 Baluchistan, such as the stream in the Urak Valley, which furnishes the 

 Quetta water-supply, and the little stream running past the Murree 

 Brewery near Quetta. A few pairs nest every year in the localities named. 

 There are 2 specimens of this species in the MacMahon Museum at 

 Quetta . 



111. Halcyon smyrnensis. — The White-breasted Kingfisher. [1044.] 



I have occasionally observed this species in Baluchistan, but it is 

 nowhere common. There are four specimens in the MacMahon Museum at 

 Quetta. 



Upupid^e. 



112. TJpiipa cpops. — The European Hoopoo. [1066.J 



Common in Baluchistan, and certainly breeds there. I obtained two 

 specimens in the Galbraith Spinney near Quetta, in August 1913. This 

 species migrates to warmer regions during the winter. There are four 

 specimens in the MacMahon Museum at Quetta. Marshall records a nest 

 with young found on May 18th. 



Cypselidce. 



113. Cypselus w!<?M«.— The Alpine Swift. [1068.] 



I saw a small scattered flock of about 6 of these fine swifts flying 

 about over the Gloucester Road in Quetta in June 1912, and again 

 observed small scattered parties flying over Quetta in June 1913, also again 

 in July 1913 at Ziarat, and in the valleys between Kach and Ziarat. I 



