'PRE BIRDS OP THE MADHUBANI SUBDIVISION. 367 



been very noisy and pugilistic, flying out at any bird, from a vulture down- 

 wards, that came near their nests, A pair took possession of a pigeon-house 

 near my bungalow at Narhar, driving out the rightful owners. Mir-shikar's 

 name Sahzuk ; ordinary native name Nill Eunt. 



SUB-OEDER MeROPES, 



Family Sleropidcp. 



(124) Meeops vieidis.— The Common Indian Bee-eater. 



Blanford,'No. 1026 ; ZTwrne, No. 117. 



Very common. It breeds from March to May, I have several times found 



seven eggs in the same nest, and on one occasion found a nest containing a 



single young one. Native name Patringa. 



(125) M. PHiLippiNus. — The Blue-tailed Bee-eater. 



Blanford, No. 1027 ; S"?me, No. 118. 



I have found this species scarce in the subdivision though common near 



Baghownie from the middle of March throughout the rains. Mr. Scroope, 



however, says he has observed it in many places during the rains. I have 



noticed them up to October and they do not remain here after then. I found 



them breeding in numbers not far from Hatauri during April and May in the 



banks of the Keray River. Mir-shikar's name Dorla. 



Sdb-Ordee Halcyones. 



Family Alcedinidce. 



(126) Ceeyle vaeia. — The Indian Pied Kingfisher. 



Blanford, No, 1033 ; Hume, No. 136. 

 Very common. It breeds from February to April and again in October. 

 They do not invariably lay in holes of banks overlooking running water as 

 supposed by Hume for I have on several occasions taken their eggs from 

 holes in banks of tanks. I bave seen one swallow a fish on the wing ; they 

 usually take it to the bank and eat it there. Mir-shikar's name Korona. 

 (127) Alcedo ispida. — The Common Kingfisher. 

 Blanford, No. 1036 ; Hume, No. 134. 

 Common during the cold weather and up to April. I once, however, saw 

 one in July. I have not found their nest. Sometimes this species is seen 

 hovering and diving like G. varia. Mir-shikar's name Farissi. 

 (128) Pelarqopsis gurial. — The Brown-headed Stork-billed Kingfisher. 



Blanford, No. 1043 ; Hume, No. 127. 

 I have not found this species very common, but Scroope says it is so in most 

 places. Though a male shot on the 20th January had enlarged testes and 

 was probably breeding, I have never found the nest. Mir-shikar's name 

 Tunnah. 



(129) Halcyon smyrnensis. — The White-breasted Kingfisher. 

 Blanford, No. 1044 ; Hume, No. 129. 

 Faiiiy common in most places but rather scarce round about Jainagar. I 

 have found it a very wary bird here quite unlike those I came across in 



