184 O.J ef the Peninsula of India. 229 



sionally sallied forth for half an hour or so, making a great circuit be- 

 fore returning. These birds were most probably what had been spread 

 over great part of that country, now collected to migrate into a more 

 wooded region, during the approaching hot season when insect life is 

 scarce. 



Like the last, this has a loud and pleasing sort of whistle, more full 

 and mellow than that of its more common congener. 



Length to end of lateral tail feathers 9| inches ; two central feathers 

 beyond 2 inches; of wing 5^; tail 3f ; bill to front 1$. 



241. — A/, quinticoltr, Vieillot, Encyl. Method, p. 393.— Chestnut- 

 headed bee-eater. 



I have only seen this bird on two occasions, once at the foot of the 

 Coonoor pass in dense jungle, and again in an open forest on the Mala- 

 bar Coast. It pursued insects from a fixed perch, returning after hav- 

 ing captured one — was generally seated on a low bough, solitary, or two 

 or three together. Irides fine red. 



Length 9 inches ; wing 4 T 3 ^-ths ; tail 3| ; bill to front 1 T s ? th s « 



There is no elongation of the central tail feathers. 



242. — M.? cyano-gularis. — New species?. — Nyctiornis .*. — Blue- 

 throated bee-eater. 



Descr. — A broad blue stripe extends from the base of the lower 

 mandible down the throat and breast; upper part of the body, the 

 head and tail, green, with a bluish tinge; belly of a buff colour, with 

 dashes of green; eye, bright scarlet; bill and feet brownish black. 



Length 14 inches; wing 5| ; tail 6 ; tarsus i inch ; bill If. 



1 have two or three times observed this fine species of bee-eater at 

 the foot of the Coonoor pass of the Neilgherries, in dense and lofty 

 jungle. One time it was alone, the other times I observed it in pairs, 

 perching on the tops of the highest trees, and flying before you from 

 tree to tree. I was not fortunate enough to obtain a specimen, owing 

 to their extreme wariness, but was kindly allowed to inspect and exa- 

 mine a specimen procured by M. Delessert. I suspect from the short- 

 ness of its wing that it is a Nyctiornis of Swainson. 



Genus CORACIAS, L.-Roller. 



243.— C. Indica, h.—C. Bengalensis, Steph.— Cor. noevia, Vieill. and 

 Less., Edwards pi. 32G.— Subzuk and Neelkond, H., both words having 

 reference to its colours.— las, Mahr. from its call.— Indian Roller, 

 generally called Jay by Europeans. 



