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HALCYON PILEATA. 
the Sunderbunds than elsewhere in India. It has not, I believe, been found anywhere to the west of Lower 
Bengal. In Burmah it is common near the sea, though rare up at Thayetmyo. Mr. Armstrong writes 
“ This beautiful Kingfisher formed a marked characteristic of the avifauna belonging to the Irrawaddy 
delta. It was to be seen everywhere. It was abundant among the mangroves on each side of every creek 
and nullah • the shore-jungle along the coast from Elephant Point to China-Ba-keer x’esounded with its 
discordant cry.” It is found in Tenasserim and throughout the Malay peninsula, where it is far from 
uncommon, inhabiting likewise the islands in the Bay. In these, however, it is rare, both as regards the 
Nicobars and the Andamans. Mr. Davison saw it at Trinkut and Kondul in the former, and Mr. Hume has 
received it from Port Blair, Andamans. It is known from both Java and Sumatra, and Count Salvadori 
includes it in his f Birds of Borneo/ where also Mr. Alfred Everett has of late years procured it. Further 
north it is an inhabitant of China, in which country, Mr. Swinhoe remarks, it is found from Canton to 
the Yangtsze, and is rare in the neighbourhood of Amoy. Dr. Zelebor, who accompanied the f Novara ’ 
Expedition, found it at Hong Kong. 
Habits. This species loves thickly wooded estuaries and brackish creeks such as are found in the great 
Sunderbunds near Calcutta, in the delta of the Irrawaddy, and other similar localities, in the impenetrable 
jungle of which it passes a generally unmolested existence, feeding on the crabs which abound in the muddy 
creeks and nullahs. These crustaceans form its favourite food. Mr. Armstrong says that in the Irrawaddy 
delta “ under every little projecting twig along the sea-shore a quantity of white excreta and the remains of 
the legs and bodies of small crabs showed where one of these birds had been making its dinner and indulging 
in its siesta. Each bird appears to have its own favourite watch-tower, and when disturbed flies away with 
a shrill cry, taking a semicircular stoop to some dry twig on ahead, and as soon as it thinks that the 
danger is passed by returns again to the post from which it has been dislodged. Captain Wimberley, 
who shot this bird at Port Blair, says it is excessively shy and wary, and that he had to go out day 
after day before he could procure it. It has a harsh crowing call according to Jerdon, and which is 
described by other writers as discordant. Dr. Zelebor likens it to the cry of the European Great Spotted 
W oodpecker. 
The Chinese, with their usual admiration for the feathers of Kingfishers, put those of this species also to 
ornamental purposes, using them for the manufacture of their fans. 
I am unable to give any information concerning the nesting of this species. 
Genus CEYX. 
Bill much as in Halcyon , the culmen less keeled. Wings with the 1st quill as long as in 
Alcedo, and the 4th not much shorter than the 3rd. Tail short and broad at the base, rounded 
at the tip. Tarsus much shorter than the anterior toes ; inner toe ivanting ; claw of outer toe 
very short. 
