170 DESCRIPTION OF THE BUCEROS 



and, following the course of the larger rivers traversing these regions, it 

 penetrates a considerable distance into their mountainous interior ; but in 

 such cases always confines itself to the low valleys through which the 

 rivers flow, and never ascends the neighbouring lofty mountains to dwell 

 among them, I have been told, indeed, that the Homrai is migratory, that 

 he tenants the lower hills only during the winter and spring, and proceeds 

 northward to the vicinity of the snows on the accession of the hot weather, 

 there to reside during the hot months of the year. But I am inclined to 

 doubt the accuracy of this report, though it came from those who are 

 familiar with the bird during his periodical residence in their limited 

 district, and though I have known a tail feather of the species to be picked 

 up in the woods of Nepal proper, where the Homrai certainly does not 

 reside at any season ; the only feasible explanation of the circumstance 

 therefore seems to be, that the feather in question was dropped by a 

 passenger, — probably, a casual passenger merely. 



The district above alluded to is Dumjd, a small, open, and cultivated 

 tract, at the confluence of the Rosi and Sun Kosi, in the interior of the 

 mountains, but communicating by the narrow valley of the latter river 

 with the lesser hills and Tared. Dumjd is low and hot, with a climate like 

 that of the Tdrai. It is abundantly furnished with fine old Burr and Pipal 

 trees ( Ficus Inch and Religiosa) : and these probably form the attraction 

 which draws the Homrai to the spot: for, he loves the lofty perch they 

 afford and is passionately addicted to their fruit. I have received speci- 

 mens of this species from the neighbourhood of Hariikvdr, from the 

 valley of the Rapti, neai' where it enters the plains — and from Dimjd j 

 but all procured during the cold season, when alone Europeans can safely 

 enter those malarious tracts. The people of Dumjd assure me that the 

 Homrai frequents their district exclusively in the cold season, and that he 

 migrates northerly towards the close of February, when the heats become 

 excessive. I cannot imagine the species to be truly migratory, but think 



