KUNGL. SV. Vi;r. AKADEMIENS HANDLINGAR. HAND 56. NIO 2- I 15 



It inhabits the swampy eountry as well as jeehls and rivers ororeeks. When search- 

 ing for food it has the habit to rest on flattering winga in the air keeping the bil] almosl 

 in right angle to the body just like a Kestrel. Then it auddenly dives down in i he water 

 to catch a small fish. 



In Southern China and in Hainan another allied f orm occurs G. r. insignis II u;i. 

 which is characterized by having a mueh larger bil], which according to Hartert is 

 about 10 mm. longer than that of C. r. leucomelanura. 



225. Alcedo ispida bengalensis. Gm. The Common Indian Kingfisher. 



Alcedo ispida bengaloisis: Gyldenstolpe I p. 54; Parrol p. 110; Robinson III p. 730: Gyldenstolpe H; Gylden- 



stolpc III p. 231. 

 Alcedo ispida rar. bengalensis : Oustalet 1899 p. 286. 

 Alcedo ispida: Williamson I p. 45; Grant p. 111; Bonhote p. 69. 

 Alcedo bengalensis: Robinson & Kloss p. 32; Finsch & Conrad p. 347: Gould p. 151; Schomburgk p. HIT: 



Muller p. 396. 



J 1 Meh Lua 6 /a 1914 - L = 160 mm -; w = ,;7 mm -; T = 34 mm -- c = 34 nini. — J Chieng 

 ;1 /8 1914. L = 155 mm.; W = 68 mm.; T = 35,5 mm.; C = 33 mm. -- J Koh Lak 30 /n 1914. I, 155 

 mm.; W == 69 mm.; T = 31 mm.: C = 39 mm. — $ Koh Lak Via 1914. L = 160 mm.; W = 71 mm.; 

 T = 38 mm.; C = 39 mm. — Irides: brown. Bill: blackish brown. Legs: coral. 



The (tommon [ndian Kingfisher was generally distributed on suitable localities 

 över the wliole eountry, being ab undan t everywhere. 



The two specimens collected at Koh Lak are rather remarkable in having very 

 large bilis, as seen by the measurements given above. 



226. Ceyx tridactyla. Pall. The Three-toed Kingfisher. 



Ceyx tridactylus: Gyldenstolpe I p. 54: Gyldenstolpe III p. 231; Grant p. 111; Robinson & Kloss p. 33. 

 Ceyx tridactyla : Muller p. 397. 



This little beautiful Kingfisher is apparently rather rare in Siarn and during my 

 whole stay there I only observed it at two different occasions in Northern Siarn. Here 

 it keeps exclusively to the small creeks in the well-wooded parts and especially where 

 there are dense evergreen forests. It is not shy b ut it conceals itself excellent among the 

 luxurious vegetation where it is very difficult to make out in spite of its brilliant colouring. 



When f ollowing these small creeks, which in some places are the only »roads » which 

 are to be had, I sometimes f lushed up these small birds which when flying almost resemble 

 a butterfly. They never take to long flights and very soon settle again on a branch in 

 some low tree, but when one approaches it again, it s udden] y moves away into the tangle 

 of vegetation and is then löst for ever. 



227. Carcineutes pulchellus. Horsf. - The Banded Kingfisher. 



Carcineutes pulchellus: Gyldenstolpe II; Gyldenstolpe III p. 231: Robinson & Kloss p. 34; Muller p. 399; 



Grant p. 111; Robinson I p. 92: Gairdner p. 150; Robinson III p. 732. 



J 1 Pok Koh 17 /a 1914. L = 215 mm.; W = 87,6 mm.; T = 75 mm.; C = 40 mm. — ^ Hue Pu 22 /s 1914. 

 L = 210 mm.; W = 87 mm.; T = 83 mm.; C = 35 mm. — Irides: wbitish grey. Bill: red. Legs: yellowish grey. 



