488 Mr. R. B. Sharpe on Birds from Fao. 
63. Coracias garrtjla, L. ; Blanf. t. c . p. 125. 
[No. 29. Migratory, passing over in large flocks from 
S.E. to N.W. in May. An occasional bird roosts here at 
this time. In September and October they return, but in 
very small numbers, and stay for a short while. 
The Arabs say they breed about thirty miles up the river, 
in holes in the date-trees; but though I have offered high 
rewards for their eggs, I have not been able to get any.] 
64. Coracias indica, L.; Blanf. t. c. p. 126. 
[No. 29 (sic). Migratory. 
Only two specimens seen and shot—one on the Persian 
side of the river, and the other (sent to the Museum) at 
Fao, on an old fort a short distance from the telegraph 
buildings.] 
65. Alcedo bengalensis, Gm.; Blanf. t. c. p. 121. 
[No. 1. A young bird, which I believe to belong to A. ben¬ 
galensis rather than to A. ispida. I was not careful enough, 
apparently, in noticing the difference between this bird and 
the specimen I supplied to the Karachi Museum, which has 
been identified by Mr. Murray as (( Alcedo ispida ” Probably 
both arrive and stay the same time, i. e. from August to 
April. 
In 1883 the first bird was seen on the 4th of August; 
after this, up to April 1884, I saw several of these small 
Kingfishers perched on the willow and other trees over¬ 
hanging the creeks. I have no note of having seen them 
later than April. In 1884 the first observed was on the 11th 
of August.] 
66. Halcyon smyrnensis (L.); Blanf. t. c. p. 121. 
No. 2. Arriving and leaving about same time as Alcedo 
bengalensis . 
[First bird observed in 1883 was on the 2nd of August, and 
the last noted was on the 4th of April, 1884; from this time 
up to the 30th of July I have no note of having observed 
any. On the 30th of July I heard the bird, and saw one the 
following day. It breeds, I believe, above Busreh. I have 
shot young birds in August.] 
