THE WHITE-COLLARED KINGFISHER 
The black^capped kmg-fisher is not rare in Sing"aporc but 
on the other hand it is much less frequently met with than the 
white-breasted kingfisher. 
There is yet one other kind of kingfisher in Singapore tbat, 
like the stork-bill, prefers the wilder, less frequented parts of 
the island and rardy U ever penetrates ^nto the populated 
districts. This is the lilac kingfisher (Halcyon coromanda 
minor), much smaller than the stork -bill and quite different 
in appearance. Broadly speaking the whole bird is rufous in 
colour^ strongly washed with a violet gloss on the upper parts< 
Only the rump provides a conspicuous change in the plumage 
and this is white, ting^ed here and there with pale blue. The 
beak and feet are reddish. This bird is about lo inches or a 
Uttle more in length andthe wing measures from 4 to 4| inches. 
It is not rare in the mangrove regions and is commoner on 
the islets such as the .Xyer Mcrbau group and Pulati Tekon^ 
than on Singapore itself. When it dashes past throijgh the 
mangrove the white patch on the rump proclaims the bird's 
identity. 
The tiny species of the genus Ceyx scarcely deserve a place 
in this book and in five years wc have never met with either of 
the two species recorded from the island, although there seems 
to be no real reason why they should not be seen in the quieter 
spots. Both species (Ceyx tridaftyla and C. eugrythra) are 
small birds^ the smallest of the Malayan kingfishers in fact, 
and bulking much less than a sparrow ! They are at once- 
recognised by their bright yellow underparts. 
