rest of the crown is golden yellow. The call has been
syllabised as _kattak-kattak-kattak_.

THE ALCEDINIDAE OR KINGFISHER FAMILY

78. _Ceryle lugubris_. The Himalayan pied kingfisher.

THE BUCEROTIDAE OR HORNBILL FAMILY

Hornbills are to be numbered among the curiosities of nature. They
are characterised by the disproportionately large beak. In some
species this is nearly a foot in length. The beak has on the upper
mandible an excrescence which in some species is nearly as large as
the bill itself. The nesting habits are not less curious than the
structure of hornbills. The eggs are laid in a cavity of a tree. The
hen alone sits. When she has entered the hole she and the cock plaster
up the orifice until it is only just large enough to allow the
insertion of the hornbill's beak. The cock feeds the sitting hen
during the whole period of her voluntary incarceration.

Several species of hornbills dwell in the forests at the foot of the
Himalayas, but only one species is likely to be found at elevations
above 5000 feet. This is the rufous-necked hornbill.

79. _Aceros nepalensis_. The rufous-necked hornbill. In this species
the casque or excrescence on the upper mandible is very slight. It
is a large bird 4 feet long, with a tail of 18 inches and a beak of
8-1/2 inches. The hen is wholly black, save for a little white in
the wings and tail. In the cock the head, neck, and lower parts are
bright reddish brown. The rest of his plumage is black and white.
In both sexes the bill is yellow with chestnut grooves. The naked
skin round the eye is blue, and that of the throat is scarlet. The
call of this species is a deep hoarse croak.

THE CYPSELIDAE OR SWIFT FAMILY

80. _Cypselus affinis_. The common Indian swift.

81. _Chaetura nudipes_. The white-necked spine-tail. A black bird
glossed with green, having the chin, throat, and front and sides of
the neck white.

THE CUCULIDAE OR CUCKOO FAMILY

82. _Cuculus canorus_. The common or European cuckoo.

83. _Cuculus saturatus_. The Himalayan cuckoo.

84. _Cuculus poliocephalus_. The small cuckoo. This is very like the
common cuckoo in appearance, but it is considerably smaller. Its loud
unmusical call has been syllabised _pichu-giapo_.

85. _Cuculus micropterus_. The Indian cuckoo.

86. _Hierococcyx varius_. The common hawk-cuckoo.

87. _Hierococcyx sparverioides_. The large hawk-cuckoo.

THE PSITTACIDAE OR PARROT FAMILY

88. _Palaeornis schisticeps_.