THE BIRDS OF KOHAT AND THE KURRAM VALLEY. 957 



[1044.] Halcyon smyrnesis. The White-breasted Kingfisher. 



Rattray, J. B. N. H. S. xii. p. 342 (Thall: common): Ward, op. cit. xvii. 

 p. 725 (occurs in Poonch). 



Abundant in Kohat and up to Sadda (3,500 feet) in the Kurram Valley. 

 A permanent resident. This bird picks up lizards and insects from the 

 ground like a Shrike. In Kohat its favourite food consists of freshwater 

 crabs. Major Magrath has also observed it taking locusts and dragon-flies 

 on the wing. 



[1066.] Upupa epops. The European Hoopoo. 



Marshall, J. B. N. H. S. xv. p. 351 (Quetta: summer visitor); Fulton, 

 op. cit. xvi. p. 58 (Chitral : summer visitor, occurring up to 14,000 ft.) ; 

 Cumming, t. c. p. 690 ; Ward, op. cit. xvii. p. 726 (common in summer, rare 

 m winter). 



Abundant in Kohat in the cold weather, but only a few individuals stay 

 to nest. Occurs in the Kurram Valley up to 8,000 ft., but is scarce. 



[1068.] Cypselus melba. The Alpine Swift. 



Rattray, J. B. N. H. S. xii. p. 342 (Thall: May) ; Marshall, op. cit. xv. p. 

 351 (Quetta : summer visitor) ; Fulton, op. cit. xvi. p. 58 (common in Chitral 

 in summer from 5,000 to 16,000 ft.) ; Rattray, t. c. p. 660 (found two nests: 

 Murree Hills) ; Ward, op. cit. xvii. p. 726. 



Flocks of this fine Swift, often accompanied by the next species, pass 

 through Kohat at intervals from mid-February till the end of May, return- 

 ing in August and September. They merely pass over and do not stay. 



[1069.] Cypselus apus. The Common Swift. 



Rattray, J. B. N. H. S. xii. p. 342 (Thall: common in May; shot two) ; 

 Marshall, op. cit. xv. p. 351 (Quetta: common in summer; found nests in 

 caves") ; Fulton, op. cit. xvi. p. 58 (Chitral ; common in summer up to 

 14,000 ft.) ; Ward, op. cit. xvii. p. 726 (summer visitor: nests in cliffs). 



Occurs like the last species and often in company with it. Breeds in 

 small numbers in the cliffs of the Safed Koh, occurring up to the summit. 



[1073.] Cypselus apfinis. The Common Indian swift. 



Rattray, J. B. N. H. S. xii. p. 342 (rare at Thall) ; Marshall, op. cit. xv. 

 p. 351 (common in summer) ; Ward, op. cit. xvii. p. 726. 



Abundant from early in March till November, and appearing at intervals 

 throughout the cold weather if the season is mild. 



[1089.] Capbimulgus mahrattensis. Sykes's Nightjar. 



Rattray, J. B. N. H. S. xii. p. 342 (Thall); Cumming, op. cit. xvi. p. 690 

 (abundant in Seistan from April till September). 



Nightjars are not common in the neighbourhood of Kohat, but round 

 Thall the country is better suited to their habits and they are plentiful. 

 We did not meet with this species, and are indebted to Col. Rattray for the 

 following notes he made at Thall' — "Fairly numerous. The birds are not 

 permanent residents, but arrive about the middle of May with C. europceus. 

 a 



