210 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



in large numbers in holes of sand-banks near water. These 

 birds have a habit of soaring with wings almost motionless 

 during the evenings. I have watched them several times doing 

 this, for what purpose I cannot say, as they never caught any 

 insects at the time. 



Ceryle varia, Strickl. (Pied Kingfisher). — This is the com- 

 monest Kingfisher found here, and is seen hovering over nearly 

 every piece of water. In December, 1897, I found a nest in the 

 hole of a bank of a river containing three half-fledged young. 



Alcedo ispida, Linn. (Common Kingfisher). — Very common 

 during the cold weather, but I do not think they remain to build 

 anywhere in the district, as I never heard of a nest, though I took 

 special pains to find one. 



Pelargopsis gurial, Pears. (Brown-headed Stork-billed King- 

 fisher). — This I have always found a somewhat scarce bird. It 

 feeds chiefly on fish, but Mr. Stuart Baker mentions that he once 

 saw one devouring a nest of young Mynahs. They have a curious 

 habit, when sitting, of constantly jerking the head from side to 

 side. Their cry may be described as a mournful wail. 



Halcyon smyrnensis, Linn. (White-breasted Kingfisher). — An 

 uncommon bird, and very difficult to shoot on account of their 

 extreme wariness. 



H. pileata, Bodd. (Black-capped Kingfisher). — A fine male of 

 this rare species was shot by me at Dalsingh Serai on Feb. 25th, 

 1900. It was sitting on a bamboo near the river. The stomach 

 contained the remains of some fish and beetles, the latter being 

 undigested. As far as is known, this is the first example of the 

 species procured or seen in this district. The skin is now in 

 Mr. Inglis's collection. 



Lophoceros birostris, Scop. (Common Grey Hornbill). — Fairly 

 common. Their food seems to consist of fruit, they being 

 especially fond of the fruit of the pepul tree (Ficus religiosa). A 

 nest was found by Mr. Inglis in a cotton tree (Bonibax). 



Upupa epops, Linn. (European Hoopoe). — Very common 

 during winter. This and the next species very probably inter- 

 breed. 



U. indica, Eeich. (Indian Hoopoe). — A common resident. A 

 pair nested in March this year (1901) in a bungalow near Darb- 

 hanga, and hatched out all the young. They will at once desert 



