Indian Birds 
118. Ceryle varia: The Indian Pied King- 
fisher. (F. 1033), (J. 136), (III.) 
This bird must be familiar to every Anglo- 
Indian, it is the “‘ Pied Fish-tiger ” of Sir 
Edwin Arnold. It is speckled black and white 
like a Hamburgh fowl. It seeks its quarry by 
hanging in the air on rapidly vibrating wings 
high above the water. Suddenly its pinions 
cease quivering, and it drops like a stone into 
the water. Sometimes it checks its fall before 
reaching the water, and flies to another part of 
the 7hil, where it again hovers. 
It is impossible to mistake this bird; there 
is no other like it save its larger Himalayan 
brother (C. lugubris). It has a small crest. 
(Illus. B. D., p. 66; also I. F., p. 162.) 
119. Alcedo ispida: ‘The Common King- 
fisher. (F. 1035), (J. 134), (II, but with a 
very short tail.) 
This bird, which is to be found in all parts 
of India where there is a river, a tank, or a 
pool of water, is the kingfisher with which we 
are familiar in England. 
Its head and nape are blue with faint black 
cross bars. The back is bright pale blue; the 
tail is dark blue; the wings greenish blue. 
The sides of the head are studies in red,. blue, 
162 
