598.2. L543g A / GAME, SHORE AND WATER BIRDS OF INDIA. BY Colonel A. LE HESSURIEK, E.E. ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-ONE ILLUSTRATIONS. CALCUTTA: THACKER, SPINK & CO., GOVERNMENT PLACE. BOMBAY: THACKER & CO., LIMITED. LONDON: W. THACKER & CO., 87 NEWGATE STREET. 1888. PRINTED BY TAYLOR AND FRANCIS, RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET. 59 #< 2- L 5-43 PREFACE TO THIRD EDITION. Owing to the insertion of additional matter, the Tabular form of previous editions has been abandoned, and the Notes are now given in paragraphs. The system of reference, however, is intended to be the same. The Index (p. 151) shows the Order to which a bird belongs, and the Indices of the Orders (pp. 2-3, 36-37, 98-99) are divided into Families, with references to the pages on which the different species are detailed. The illustrations were originally drawn from the specimens when shot or when received from friends. Many of these were afterwards beautifully executed in pen and ink by Mr. W. W. Turner, of Simla. The numbers, names, and descriptions, as given in " Jerdon," have been adhered to as far as possible. The additions have principally been taken from ' The Game Birds of India/ Messrs. Hume and Marshall (H. &. M.), and ' Stray Feathers ' (S. F.). The Introduction has been copied from the descriptive exhibits at the Natural-History Museum, where I have received every assistance. The derivations of names have been chiefly taken from ' A List of British Birds compiled by a Committee of the British Ornithologists' Union.' A. LE MESSURIER. Ealintr, August 1887. b2 PKEFACE TO SECOND EDITION. It was intended that an edition for the public should have been illus- trated; but now that an expedition is starting for Central Asia, the Notes which were privately circulated in 1874 without the pictures are reprinted. Some additions have been made, and the divisions into Families will now be found on pages 1, 9, and 22. A. LE MESSURIER. Simla, October 1878. PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION. (For Private Circulation only.) To Sir William Merewether, C.B., K.C.S.I., Commissioner in Sind. Dear Sir William, — The accompanying Notes (commenced in 1861) on the Eastern Narra have been so often referred to by brother officers, that, after an interval of thirteen years, I have been induced to complete and print them, not only to satisfy inquiry, but to remove if possible the difficulty that exists in tracing Birds to their proper names. The plan adopted is, it is hoped, both simple and concise. The Index shows the Birds in Classes, and these again are divided into Families on pages 1, 6, and 19, with references to the intermediate sheets on which the different species are detailed. Errors and omissions must occur, and if at the close of the shooting- season those receiving copies will return them to me, I shall hope to complete my first intention of presenting them with others fully illus- trated in exchange for their suggestions, corrections, and illustrations. These may be " Dry Leaves " from an " Unhappy Valley," but they tell of the advantages that Sind offers to the sportsman in the abundance of its small game. A. LE MESSURIER. Kurrachee, November 1874. bu P O as O O CO Q !5 O X REFERENCES TO PAINTED SAND-GROUSE, vii References. 1. Crown (Vertex). 2. Forehead (Front). 3. Hind head (Occiput). 4. Hind neck (Cervix). 5. Nape (Nucha). 6. Back (Dorsum). 7. Rump ( Uropygium). 8. Upper Tail-coverts. 9. Tail-feathers (Beatrices). 10. Central Tail-feathers ( Uropygiales). 11. Lateral or outer Tail-feathers. 12. Lore. 13. Ear-coverts (Beyio parotica). 14. Eyebrow (Supercilium). 15. Cheek. 16. Side of Neck (Collum). 17. Shoulder (Humerus). 18. Scapulars or Hunierals (Parapterori). 19. Interscapulary region (Interscapulium). 20. Primaries or Metacarpo-dieitala \ , r> ■ . , v ° > (Bemiges). 21. Secondaries or Cubitals ) 22. Greater coverts ) 23. Middle coverts > (Tectrices). 24. Lesser coverts I 25. Winglet or Bastard Wing (Ala spuria or Alula) 26. Chin (Mentum). 27. Throat (GW«). 28. Fore neck (Juytduni). 29. Breast (Pectus). 30. Abdomen. 31. Vent (Crissum). 32. Under Tail-coverts. 33. Tarsus. 34. First or Hind Toe (Hallux). 35. Tibia. 36. Carpus. 37. Radius and Ulna. 38. Dkit or Toe. Upper or Dorsal Aspect of 829. Large Grey Quail J^/tfC Under or Ventral Aspeet of 870. Pintail Snipe (Hodgson) Tail Feathers The Exo-Skeleton, ok Feathers. The lie mi yes, or Flight-Feathers. The feathers of a wing of a bird have a very definite arrangement. They consist of the large quill-feathers [Remiges, or flight-feathers) and the coverts {Tectrices). The Remiges are developed into the wing-membrane {ala membrana), and come into close and definite relation to the bones, forming two well-marked groups : — (i.) The cubitals, or " secondaries/' are attached to the ulna, and vary greatly in number in different groups of birds. (ii.) The metacarpo-digitals, or " primaries/' are attached to the bones of the nianus, and are typically eleven in number. Of these the meta- carpus bears six (the "metacarpals"), and the phalanges of the digits bear five (the "digitals"), disposed as follows : — One (the " addigital") lying upon the phalanx of digit iii., and inserted at the metacarpo- phalangeal articulation; two (the " middigitals") inserted on the first phalanx of digit ii. ; and two (the " predigitals ") inserted on the second phalanx of digit ii. The most distal of these (the "remicle") is always rudimentary, and sometimes absent. The bones of digit i. always bear a small number of more or less developed quill-feathers, forming the " bastard wing" (ala spuria or alula). In many birds there is a development of large feathers lying over the distal half of the humerus, resembling remiges, but really continuous with the series of greater coverts; these are called "numerals" {Para- pteron). Corresponding with these on the surface of the wing are the " axillaries " {Hypopteron) . The Arrangement of the Coverts. The coverts of the upper surface of the wing {Tectrices superiores) are divided into Tectrices majores, T. media, and T. minor es. Those of the lower surface are Tectrices inferiores. The relative development of these series of coverts varies much in different groups of birds. The most important, or " Principal Coverts," are the Tectrices majores, consisting of one row of upper coverts attached to the bases of the remiges, and a row of inferior coverts attached in a similar way. Each remex has thus two principal coverts in relation to it, one on its upper or dorsal, and one on its lower or ventral surface. The dorsal covert of the first metacarpal remex is generally rudi- mentary, in compliance with mechanical requirements in the folding of the winy - . xii THE EXO-SKELETON. Modifications of the Cubital or Secondary Remiges. Beyond variation in number and form, the only important modifi- cation in this series consists in the absence in many birds (Owls, Eagles, Geese, Pigeons, Grebes, &c.) of the fifth remex (counting from the carpal joint), the coverts being retained. This condition is "Aquin cubitalism ; " when the feather is present the condition is called " Quin cubitalism." Modifications of the Metacarpo-digital or Primary Remiges. The typical condition of the metacarpo-digital remiges being as described above, the following are the principal modifications : — I. The metacarpals may be increased to seven (as in Grebes, Flamin- goes, and Storks). II. A decrease in the number of digitals may take place at distal end of wing. (a) A remicle may be lost, its principal coverts being retained (as in Turkey, Goose, &c). (b) The remicle and its coverts may disappear, and, in addition, the next predigital (2) may disappear also (as in ' ' nine-primaried birds"), though generally some trace of it may be found. Among Passeres almost every gradation in the development of these feathers may be met with. (Nat. Hist. Museum.) The Bill or Beak of Birds consists of two parts, generally called the upper and lower mandibles, but more properly maxilla and mandible. The externally visible part of each is an epidermic sheath of horny, or sometimes leathery, consistence, which covers the anterior bony pro- longation of the cranium in the one case (the premaxillary bone), and of the lower jaw in the other (the dentary bone). In most birds the sheath (rhamphotheca) of each jaw is entire, but in some (as the Petrels) it is " pieced" or divided into distinct parts by various lines of slight connection. The different parts of the bill have received names useful for descrip- tive purposes. Of these the following are the most important : — The whole length of the middle line of the upper surface, from the tip or apex to where the feathers commence on the forehead, is called the culmen. The lateral sharp edge of the horny covering of either maxilla or mandible is the tomiicm. The point at which the edges of the jaws meet behind is the commis- sure, or angle of the mouth (sometimes called the gape) . THE BEAK. xm The mandible is composed of two lateral halves, called rami or branches, separate behind, but united in front ; the space between them where they are separate is the inter-ramal space ; the lower median edge of the mandible, from the point at which the rami unifre to the tip, is called the gonys. Go^ C cm 77i issivrc- o~r 5= 4 '^TTfM'^uf^ ^v N ^ Nat, Hist. Museum. The nostrils are two in number, situated usually near the base of the maxilla. Their form and exact position vary considerably in different birds. They often open into a depression or groove (the nasal fossa or sulcus). In the Petrels (Tubinares) the borders of the nostrils are prolonged forwards in a tubular form. In some birds (as Hawks and Parrots) they open in a soft waxy -looking covering of the base of the maxilla, called the cere. In the Apteryx alone of existing birds the nostrils open near the tip of the bill. (Nat. Hist. Museum.) Posterior Extremity, or Leg, of Birds. The hind limb consists of three principal divisions : — I. The thigh, or femur. II. The leg, or crus. III. The foot, or pes. The latter has a more or less undivided portion, called, in ornithological language, the tarsus, but the skeleton of which corresponds to the united three metatarsal bones of mammals, to which is also joined the lower or XIV THE DIGITS. distal part of the tarsus proper. The other portion of the true tarsus is united to the lower end of the tibia. The ankle-joint is therefore not situated between the tibia and tarsus, as in mammals, but in the middle of the tarsus itself. To the lower end of the tarso-metatarsal bone the three principal (second, third, and fourth) digits, or toes, are attached. The first digit has a separate, or accessory, metatarsal bone, of which only the lower end is developed, and which is usually attached loosely to the hinder surface of the principal bone. The front, or dorsal, surface of the tarsus is called the acrotarsium, the back the planta, as it corresponds to the sole of the foot of man and plantigrade animals. (Nat. Hist. Museum.) Number of the Digits, or Toes. Birds have usually four toes, never more ; in some cases only three ; in the Ostrich alone two. These are designated the first, second, third, and fourth. The one attached to the accessory metatarsal bone, and which is almost always directed backwards, being called the first or Tot ■n sia,_& J) i. g.l t 2 ~ a Digit 812. Red Jtjngle-Fowl (Gray). hallux. The second toe has normally three phalanges ; it is the inner one of these that turns forwards. The third has four phalanges, and it is the middle toe of these that is usually directed forwards. The fourth has five phalanges, and is the outer toe. Reduction from the normal number of Toes. When one of the four normal toes is absent it is almost always the first, or hallux, which may be entirely suppressed or exist in a rudi- THE DIGITS. xv mentary condition, the bones being present but concealed beneath the skin. It is not always the hallux which is absent in three-toed birds. In the Kingfishers of the genera Ceyx and Alcyone the hallux is well developed; but the second digit is reduced to its basal phalanx, appearing externally merely as a wart-like eminence. In the Passerine genus Cholornis the fourth, or external, digit is in a rudimentary condition. In the Ostrich two digits only are present, which represent the third and fourth of the normal foot. The small size of the latter, and the frequent absence of its nail, indicate a tendency to reduction to a single toe (the third), as in the Horse among Mammals. Position of the Toes. The vast majority of birds have three toes in front and one (the hallux, or first toe) behind. Exceptions : — 1. All four toes may be turned forwards, as in the Coliida and some S w i ft s ( Cypse li dm ) . 2. The first toe may be versatile, turning backwards or forwards. 3. The outer front toe (fourth) may be versatile, or capable of being turned backwards or forwards, as in most Owls and the Osprey (Pandion). 4. The toes may be permanently in pairs, two before and two behind, as in Woodpeckers, Toucans, Cuckoos, and others, a condition described as Zygodactyle, or yoke-toed. In these cases it is always the first and fourth that turn backward, except in the Trogons, where it is the first and second. The third toe is invariably directed forwards. (Nat. Hist. Museum.) Leading Modifications of the Foot of Birds. There are three functional plans or types upon which birds' feet are constructed, each with various modifications and with transitional forms connecting them. I. The Perching or Insessorial type, in which the foot is best fitted for the grasping function required in perching on trees. (a) The typical Passerine modification. — All the toes free and mov- able, and the hinder one well developed ; the foot is thus like a hand with three fingers and an opposite thumb. Examples : Song-Thrush (Turdus musicus) and Sky-Lark (Alauda arvensis). xvi MODIFICATIONS OF THE FOOT. (b) The Raptorial modification. — The toes armed with powerful curved sharp claws and widely spread, so that they may have greater power in seizing and holding their prey. Their under surface bulbous, scabrous, or even spiny, for greater security in grasping. Examples : Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) and Sea-Eagle (Haliaetus albicilla). (c) The Syndactyle modification, in which the outer and middle toes are coherent for most of their extent, with a broad sole in common. This occurs in perching birds, as Kingfishers, which scarcely use their feet for progression, but simply for sitting motionless. Examples : King- fisher {Ceryle torquatus), Hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros), Cock of the Hock (Rupicola crocea). (d) The Zygodactyle, or yoke-toed modification. — Two toes are turned forwards and two backwards. This occurs in many families of birds not otherwise related either in structure or habits. Examples : Wryneck (Yunx torquilla), Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus), Indian Koel (Eudynamys honor ata), Red-and-Blue Macaw (Ara macao). II. The Walking or Wading {Cursorial or Grallatorial) type. — In this form the foot has the grasping power, but is especially adapted for walking on the ground. The hind toe is elevated above the level of the others, and reduced in size or totally lost. In some wading birds the intervals between the toes are completely or partially webbed. Ex- amples : Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), Heron (Ardea cinerea), Phea- sant-tailed Jacana (Hydrophasianus chirurgus), Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) , Red-necked Avocet (Recurvirostra avocetta) . III. The Swimming or Natatorial type. — By the development of webs between the toes the foot is transformed into a swimming instru- ment, usually with much loss of its power of perching and running. (a) The Lobate modification. — The toes not united together by webs but furnished with lobes or flaps along the sides, as in the Coot (Fulica atra) and Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus). (b) The ordinary Palmate modification. — All the front toes united by webs. The hind toe free, as in the Wild Duck (Anas boschas), Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus), Skimmer (Rhynchops flavi- rostris) . (c) The Totipalmate modification. — Webs not only between the front toes, but also extending between the second and first, or hind toe ; so that all four are united together, as in the Pelican (Pelecanus onocro- talus). (Nat. Hist. Museum.) RASORES. GAME BIRDS. Order. Suborder. Family. r w o O (72 03 o o Pn o 1—1 CO c P of ^ Cb e K CQ Hind toe on same plane as anterior ones CRACIDJE. — No spurs. Toes long am toe long. Tail of 14 feathers MEGAPODIDiE. — Large strong feet Tail of 12 feathers, not always d« toe long. Plumage dull green-brow a fowl. Frequent sandy soil PTER.OCLID.32. — Tarsus feathered i long and pointed. Hind toe verj Orbits more or less nude. Plums variegated with brown. Tail of 16 1 rapid. Feed on seeds Hind toe raised above level of others or wanting .... PHASIANIDiE.— Head often furnish nude skin, or lappets and wattles, feathers, much developed. Tarsus in males. Hind toe raised. Freq thick cover. Roost on trees TETRAONID^l. — Wings rounded ii tail verv short. Hind toe elevated. Differ slightly in sexes. Frequen jungte TURNICIDiE.— Bill slender. Wing short or none. Lateral toes short, toe small or none. Frequent b jungle L CHIONIDID.ffi V- TINAMID.ffi . * Not repr Subfamily. lender. Hind d large claws, oped. Hind Smaller than ront. Wings iort or none. pale yellow, ihers. Flight PENELOPIN^E CRACIN^E ... TALEGALLIN^E MEGAPODIN.E . r PAVONINiE. with crests or il of 18 to 20 ually spurred t forests and PHASIANINiE GALLING MELEAGRINpvs (a plant with two leaves) = an eyebrow. 3 10". ? 10". Legs red. Bill dull red.— Male : Black, head blotched white. Breast dark grey, lined black. Back tinged rufous. — Female brown, broadly marked black. No other species of this genus is known. N.W. Himalayas. Genus PERDICULA. Blunt spurs. Tail of 12 feathers. Sexes differ. 826. Perdicula asiatica. The Jungle-Quail. Lowa (Hindi) ; Juhar, Maribhoom ; Girza-pitta (Telugu) ; Kari lowga, Mysore. S 6^" to 7" ; 2 to 3 oz. Legs yellow. Bill dusky red. Chin and eye-stripe chestnut. White superciliary stripe. Upper plumage dark red-brown. Under surface white. — Female : Lower plumage spotless rufous, with white shafts. 827. Perdicula argoondah. The Red or Rock Jungle-Quail. Lowa (Hindi) ; Lawunka (Telugu) ; Kemp lowga, Mysore. $ 6§" to 1" ; 2i to 3 oz. $ 6f ". Legs dull red. Bill dark slaty. Head and neck rufous, tipped black. Lower plumage with black cross- bars. — Female rufous. Whitish on vent. Genus MICROPERDIX. fiiKpos = small. Slender red bill. Male wants tarsal tubercle. 828. Microperdix erythrorhynchus. The Painted Jungle- Quail. s % m Sapoora, 0-b-75. Kokni-lowa (Hindi) : Kadai (Tamil). MICR0PERD1X — COTURNIX. 29 £ Q\" to 7\" ; 2^ to 3 oz. Legs fine red. Bill fine red. Crown black. Back olive, spotted black. Chin white, with black border. — Female : Head brown. Chin rufous. Above olive, blotched black. Microperdix blewitti. The Eastern Painted Jungle- Quail. Sirsee-lowa, Marietta, Chanda. J 6" to 6^" ; If to 2j oz. Legs coral-red. Bill coral-red. Narrow black frontal band. Breast and below chestnut, widely spotted black. Above grey. — Female grey, with broad pale frontal band. Sides spotted. (H. & M. ii. 129.) Subfamily Coturnicin^e. True Quails. Genus COTURNIX. Cotumix = a Quail, in classical Latin. Etymology unknown. Wings pointed. No spur. True Quail are most common in S. Asia, but occur throughout the whole of the Old Continent as far as New Zealand. The Grey Quail is found throughout the greater part of Asia, Europe, and Africa. The Rain-Quail extends to Assam, Sylhet, and Upper Burma. Of the Blue Quail, one species occurs in India and several in China, Malaya, Australia, and New Guinea ; but none in Central or Western Asia or Africa. The species from Celebes {Excalfactoria minuta) is the smallest game bird in the World. 829. Coturnix communis. The Large Grey or European Quail. Bateyr, Upper India ; Butteyra, Sind \ Buttree, Lower Bengal ; Soipol, Manipur ; Botah-surrai, Assam ; Burganji, Beseem ; Burli, Belgaom ; Sipale-haki, Mysore ; Watwalak, Kashgar. $ 8^" ; 3 to 4^ oz. $ 4 oz. Legs fleshy pink. Bill grey-brown. Double collar. Lower plumage pale rufous. Primaries barred. — Female larger than male, with brown spots on breast. — Young birds ashy. Sykes, Yarrell, and others say this was the Quail of the Israelites. (See no. 801.) 30 TETEAONIDJE. Cotumix communis. 830. Coturnix coromandelicus. The Black-breasted or Rain- Quail. Bateyr, Upper India; Chanac, l$epal; Butteyra, Sind; Ngon, Pegu. $ 6£" to 7^" ; 2 to 3 oz. Legs fleshy yellow. Bill dusky. Chin pure white. Primaries unspotted brown. — Female larger than male, wants black breast and cross-bar. Call whit ! whit ! Stronger than the Grey. Genus EXCALFACTORIA. Excalf actor ius, a, um = warming-, heating. Rich plumage. Second quill longest. EXCALFACTORIA. 31 831. Excalfactoria chinensis. The Blue-breasted or Painted Quail. Khair-butai, Nepal; Peeyo, Malay. $ 5£" to 6"; H to 2oz. ? 5". Legs bright yellow. Bill black. Red wing-band. Quills barred black. Breast dark purple. — Female brown ; breast with dark cross-bars. Subfamily Odont op hoeing. American Partridges. There are four genera : — 1. Odontophorus, found in tropical forests of America; 2. Cyrtonix, peculiar to Mexico; 3. Ortyx, ranges through N. and S. America, Jamaica, and W.-I. Isles; 4. is found in California and Mexico, up lochs, on sandy plains or open wood. Subfamily Tetraonin^e. True Grouse. Not represented in India, being peculiar to northern parts of both Continents. The best known are T. scoticus (the Scottish Grouse), T. tetrix (the Blackcock), T.urogallus (the noble Capercailzie), Lagopus mutus (the mountain-loving Ptarmigan) . Several other species of Grouse occur both on the continent of Europe and N. Asia, and one species of Ptarmigan occurs in the Caucasus ; but as yet no species of Grouse or Ptarmigau has been observed on the Himalayas or adjacent territories. The Ruffed Grouse of Europe (Bonasia sylvestris) descends to a lower latitude than any of the true Grouse. One group, called " Pintailed Pheasants," is peculiar to N. America. Family TURNICID^E. Note. — The family is here given as Tumicidce, in place of Jerdon's Tinamidce, because the subfamily have nothing to do with Tinamidce, which are restricted by Gray to S. America. Bill slender. Wings moderate. Tail short or none. Lateral toes short. No spurs. Hind toe small or none. Frequent bushes and grass-jungle. Subfamily Turnicin^e. Bustard and Button-Quail. Of diminutive size. Three toes in one genus. Hind toe in another. Note.' — Bustard-Quails differ more from Quails than the latter do from Peafowl in structure. 32 TUENICID^E. Genus TURNIX. Turnix, shortened from Coturnix, q. v., to show that it was a mutilated form, wanting the hind toe. First quill as long as others. No hind toe. Tail very short, of 12 feathers in a bundle. (i.) Female black, barred on throat and breast. 832. Turnix taigoor. The Indian Bustard- Quail. Gulu, India ; Durwa, Rutnagiri; Karehaki, Mysore. Sapoora, 9-8-75. > O o ^ ^ eS £•1 03 3 TO 3 CS rrl H a rf r^> oa p r2 A r Tribe. STR UTHIONES.—Oi large size. Some with three toes, others with only two. Wings unde- veloped L PRESSIR OSTRES. — Bill thick and compressed. Tarsi long. Hind toe small or absent STRUTHIONID.ffi.— BiJ short or imperfect. To varying from two to fou: OTIDID^J.— Bill short, with connecting membi game-like CURSORIDJE.— Bill son only. Plumage brown GLAREOLID-ffi.— Bill s Gape very large. Tail i CHARADRIID^S.— Bill nasal groove. Wings lc Hind toe generally want LONGIROSTRES. — Bill long and slender. Hallux, short or raised. Exterior toe generally joined to middle by web H^MATOPODID^ES. the others. Plumage i birds THINOCORID.ffi.— Pur, GRUID^J.— Bill short, cleft. Large size. Pht neck SCOLOPACID.flE.— Bill long. Tail short. Plui ashy beneath. Hind to r l PARRID.E LATITORES.— Feet very large. | spurred . Hind toe large. Wings short, <{ HIMANTOPID-SE.— Bill times recurved. Plurr long PALAMEDEID^S.— Ami Feet enorn often spurred ■ST ( ^s CULTIROSTRES. — Bill thick, pointed or slightly curved. Wings ample. Hind toe on same plane as anterior RALLID-ffi.— Bill short i feet. Tail short or none spur CICONHD-ffi.— Bill larg toes joined at base. Of; ARDEID-ffi!.— Bill very s toe only joined to midc less serrated TANTALUM.— Bill h curved. Front toes j oil * Not reprr iy- Subfamily. Genus. Page. I f various forms. Wings J STRUTIII0NINyE ihort, broad, unequal, and < number I ^ APTERYGIN^E . . iglit. Three short toes, Plumage mottled and rhat slender, rufous Three toes ;, arched. Small hind toe. iforked art, basal half soft. Long and pointed. Gape small. ill hind toe raised above 2gated. Chietly sea-shore CHARADRHNME VANELLIN.E . . . [ ESACIN^E STREPSILIN.E DROMADIN.E.. American [ L H^EMATOPODIN^E THINOCORIN^E . . . ut, straight, and slightly ge grey or white. Long ig, slender, soft. Wings re brown above, white or snerally elevated ry long, very thin, some^ s black and white. SCOLOPAOIN^E LIMOSINiE NUMENINiE ... TRINGINiE PHALAROPIN^E L TOTANLN^E Ostriches* 39 Rheas * 39 Emus * 39 Cassowaries * 39 Apteryx* 40 Bustards 41 Florikins 42 Courier-Plovers 44 Swallow-Plovers or Pratin- coles 4-> True Plovers 47 Lapwings 50 Stone-Curlews 52 Turnstones 54 Crab-Plovers 55 Oyster-catchers 55 or Shore - Game Plovers Larks * 58 Cranes 58 Woodcocks True Snipes (30 60 i very thm, some- i r and white. Legs I ] 3 an PALAMEDEIN^E 3. Claws strong. Wings \ PARRIISLE Godwits 64 Curlews 68 Stints . 70 Phalaropes or Lobefoots .... 73 Sandpipers 74 Greenshanks 75 Redshanks 75 Stilts 77 Avocets 77 Screamers * 78 Jacanas 78 Coots 80 d wedge-shaped. Large f GALLINULIN^E -j Water-cocks 81 Wing rounded, often with I mg, straight. All anterior ■> ge size j p and deeply cleft. Outer one. Middle toe more or j , long, cylindrical, and at base bv web RALLIN.*) PSOPHIN^E Water-hens 81 True Rails 83 Storks 86 Trumpeters* 87 (Herons 88 Egrets 89 Bitterns 92 Night-Herons 93 TANTALIN/E .... PLATALEIN.E . . ANASTOMATIN.E IBISIN^E Pelican Ibises 93 Spoonbill Ibises 94 Shell Ibises 94 True Ibises U4 ded in India. 39 Order GRALLATORES. SHORE BIRDS. Waders. The term Grallatores (derived from gradior, to take steps) is applied by ornithologists to the Shore Birds, from their stalking, walking, or wading. Shore Birds frequent edges of rivers, seas, lakes, and a few dry plains and deserts; they feed on fish, reptiles, mollusks, insects, and a few on vegetable matter. In large numbers there is a vernal moult, and plumage changes considerably, in many becoming more or less black, in others rufous. Lower part of tibia bare. Tarsus elongated. Wings usually long. Tail usually short. Bill straight or inclining. Outer toe usually joined to middle one by short web, and to inner toe occasionally. In a few, toes are bordered by loose web. All fly well, with legs out behind. (A) The young, when hatched, able to run at once. Tribe STRUTHIONES. Of large size. Some with three toes, others with only two. Wings undeveloped. This tribe, not represented in India, includes the giants of the Bird Kingdom, and approaches nearest to Mammalia. In the subfamily Struthionina there are : — The Ostrich, S. camelus, of the open plains of Africa (Jerdon supposes a second species, S. epoas- ticus), with two unequal toes, a middle and an outer. The Rheas, or S.- American Ostriches, with three anterior toes (lateral toes shorter than middle, inner the shortest). Three species. The Emus, of New Holland, with three toes, the inner the shortest. Plumage resembles hair. Wings more rudimentary than in Ostrich. Accessory plume as large as the feather. Two species. The Cassowaries, of the Eastern Archipelago, with three toes, the outer the longest, and the inner armed with a powerful claw. Plumage 40 otidim:. hair-like. Accessory plume very large, and a rudiment of a third. Four species. It has been remarked that Emus and Cassowaries resemble Bustards in their anatomy, while the Ostrich and Rheas are more like Game Birds. Owen says Cassowaries are modified Coots, and Parker states there is a connection between Bails and the Ostrich. In the subfamily Apteryginte there is the Apteryx of New Zealand. Wingless, and feathers want the supplementary plume. Three species. Fragments of some enormous birds have been discovered in New Zealand. One, a Moa, lately supposed extinct, its egg larger than that of an Ostrich. Fossil remains of a gigantic Ostrich have been found in the Sewalik range. Tribe PRESSIROSTRES. Bustards, Plovers, and Cranes. Pressus, a, um, adj. = compressed; rostrum, i, n. = the bill. Bill thick aud compressed. Tarsi long. Hind toe small or absent. Family OTIDIDiE. Bustards and Florikins. Bill short, straight. Three short toes, with connecting membrane. Plumage mottled and game-like. Bustards and Florikins are found on grassy plains of the Old World and Australia. They have the aspect and form of Game Birds, but their general anatomy allies them with Plovers. In some there is a gular membranous pouch. They can raise ear-feathers to catch sound. The European Bustard is found throughout Central Europe and Central Asia; once shot at Hashtnagar (H. & M. i. 1). The Little Bustard occurs in Punjab and N. W. P. ; is common in S. Europe and N. Africa, and occurs from Syria to Biluchistan ; does not appear to go N. across Tianshan or into China. Eupodotis occurs in India, China, Africa, and Australia (wild Turkey). Houbara, from N. Africa, occasionally passes into Spain ; one species in N. W. P., and common in Afghanistan. Genus OTIS. (oris = a kind of Bustard with long: ear-feathers, known to the Greeks ; from ovs, genit. curds-, an ear. Short and stout limbs and bill. Long white moustachial tuft. OTIS.— HOUBAEA. 41 Otis tarda. The Great or European Bustard. Tarda, the Spanish name, according to Pliny (Hist. Nat. x. p. 29). A Celtic or Basque word. Tarda and Bistarda are always used as substantives, like the French Outarde (from avis tarda, through the Provencal Austarde, as avis struthio became Autruche in French and Osti'ich in English) and our Bus-tard. S 45"; 20 to 30 Jbs. ? 36". Legs blackish. Bill brown.— Male : Chin white, with long narrow feathers. Breast pale orange. Back orange, barred black. — Female without chin-plume till third or fourth year. — Young born buff -colour, barred black. Otis tetrax. The Little or Butterfly Bustard. Tetrax = rerfiag, a bird known to the ancient Greeks. <$ 17" to 19"; li to 2 lbs. Legs yellow. Bill brown.— Male : Neck and upper breast black, with white necklet and white gorget. Breast white. Back chestnut, streaked black irregularly. Tail of 18 feathers. — Female : Head and neck chestnut, mottled black. Breast with short black bars. Genus EUP0D0TIS. (v = well ; iroBorrjs = footed. Long strong legs. — Male with pouch. Crest black. Neck white. Of very large size. 836. Eupodutis edwardsi. The Great Indian Bustard. Toogder, Punjab ; Hoom, C. P. ; Kara-dhouk, Deccan ; Gurahna, Sind ; Heri- hakki, Mysore. S 45" to 50" ; 1 7 to 22 lbs. ? 36" to 38" ; 8 to 10 lbs. Legs dingy yellow. Bill dusky and yellow. Sexes alike. Plumage pale brown, variegated with minute black lines. Greater coverts grey, tipped white. Primaries slaty, tip white. — Female : Breast-band incomplete. — Young resemble females. Genus HOUBARA. The Asiatic name for a Bustard. Legs rather short. Male has a black ruff and white crest, with black tip. Of moderate size. E 42 OTIDLM. 837. Houbara macqueeni. The Hottbara Bustard. In honour of the sender of the specimens described by J. E. Gray. Houbara, Tilaor, Punjab ; Taloor, Sind. 5^ d 4 lbs. ? 25" to 27%' -, 3 to 3| lbs. Legs $ 28" to 30" ; 4 to green-yellow. Bill slate. Sexes alike. Plumage pale buff, pencilled black. Tail with bluish bands and lateral feathers, tipped cream-white. Primaries white base, black end. Genus SYPHEOTIS. crvfaos = a hogsty ; arts = a kind of Bustard. Male with white wing and black plumage. Highly crested or with ear-tufts. — Females bigger than males. 838. Sypheotis bengalensis. The Bengal Florikin. Charas, N. W. P. ; Dabar, Nepal] Ooloo Moora, Assam. <$ 26" to 27"; 3^ to 4£ lbs. $ 28" to 29"; 4 to 5 lbs. Legs pale yellow. Bill dusky and yellow. Full breast-tuft. Above blue-buff, minutely mottled with black. Below deep glossy black. — Female ful- vous, with black and brown mottlings. Neck with dark lines. STPHEOTIS. 43 839. Sypheotis auritus. The Likh or Lesser Florikin. Kurmor, Guzerat ; Tun-mor, Deccah ; Chini-mor, Belgaom j Likh, N. W. P. ; Charas, S. India ; Kannoul (Canarese). = I carry. With wattles at base of bill. No hind toe. 856. Sarciophorus malabaricus. The Yellow-wattled Lapwing. Zirdo, India; Chitawa (Telugu) ; Jithiri, N.W.P.; Alkati (Tamil). $ 12". Legs yellow. Bill yellow, black tip. Chin, throat, breast, and upper plumage pale ashy. (iii.) Some with only three toes. Strong spines on shoulder of wing. Genus HOPLOPTERUS. No hind toe. Wing with horny spur. Found in Africa, Asia, and South America. 857. Hoplopterus ventralis. The Spur-winged Lapwing. Ventrdlis, adj. = a belly-band. <$ 12". Legs red-black. Bill black. Head, crest, and broad band down throat black. Abdomen white, with broken black band. Subfamily Esacin^e. Stone-Curlew. Bill strong, dilated above and below. Nail of middle toe hollowed beneath. According to last results these are Bustards and not Plovers. Genus ESACUS. Edges of bill notched towards tip. Found in India, Indian Archipelago, and Australia. 858. Esacus recurvirostris. The Large Stone-Curlew. Abi, Bara Karwanak, India ; Talur, Sind ; Gang-titai, Bengal. $ 19'' to 21" ; If lbs. Legs yellow. Bill yellow, tip black. Eye- brow, ear-coverts, and moustache blackish. Plumage above grey. Below white. ESACTJS — (EDICNEMUS. 53 Esacus magnirostris. The Australian Stone-Curlew. c? 22^". Legs yellow. Bill greenish. Band round eye extending back over ear-coverts. Chin and throat pure white. Nape, hack, and scapulars earth-brown. First five primaries umber-brown. (S. F. ii. 290.) Genus (EDICNEMUS. ol8os = a swelling ; Kvrjur) = a leg. Plumage brown and striated. Eye large. Nostrils in long groove. Migratory, inhabiting all parts except North America. 859. (Edicnemus indicus. The Goggle-eye or Bastard Florikin, or English Stone-Curlew. Karwanak, Barsiri, Lambi, India; Kharma, Benyal; Kalleydu (Telugu) ; Kana mosal (Tamil). a\r) = the head. Goodera, Gairiya, 2V. W. P. ; Malgujha, Nepal ; Jaurali, Bengal ; Susling, Smd; Tonda ulanka (Telugu). (J 16" to 18" ; 8 to 12 oz. ? 18" to 21" ; 9 to 15 oz. Legs dusky. Bill 3V' to 5", fleshy. — In winter : Above ash-brown. Below grey- LIMOSA. 65 white. — In summer: Back black, tipped red. Breast red. Abdomen white. 66 SCOLOPACIDJE. Limosa lapponica. The Bar-tailed Godwit. Lapponica = of Lapland. S 13|" to 14f" ; 7\ to 10 oz. ? 15f"; 9 to Hi oz . Lcgs blacki Bill 3" to 31", pink and black. — In ivinter : Above earthy, and dark central shaft. — In summer : Below pale red. Above black-brown, marbled grey. (S. F. i. 235.) s 68 scolopacim:. Genus TEREKIA. d 9". ? 10^". Legs pale orange. Bill 1^", orange. — In winter : Ashy blue. Shoulder-edge of wing and quills brown. Breast ashy, with streaks of red. — In summer : Scapulars black, edged with brown. Subfamily Numeninjs. Cuklews. Bill very long, curved downwards. Same plumage all the year round. Genus NUMENIUS. Numenius = povurjvios, a kind of Curlew in Diogenes Laertius (about a.d. 200) ; from veos = new, and \lt)vt\ = the moon, from its " crescent " beak. Hind toe with nail short. Feet webbed and bordered with narrow membrane. Differ from Godwits and Stints in their curved beak and fixed plumage. Migratory and found all over the world. Said to perch on trees occasionally in N. Europe. 877. Numenius arquata. The Common Curlew. The mediaeval name. It is generally said to be derived from the bird's bill being bent like a bow, arcns; but it more likely refers to arquatus morbus = the jaundice (" when the skin turns to the yellow colour of the rainbow"), in allusion to the legend about Charadrius, Galbula, Icterus, &c. Goar, Goungh, India ; Choppa, Sada Kastachura, Bengal. 6 21"; 27 oz. ? 26" ; 30 oz. Legs grey. Bill 4" to 7|", brown. Above brown, edged rufous. Lower back and abdomen white, with dusky spots. 878. Numenius phaeopus. The Whimbrel. The mediaeval name ; from cfraios = dusky, and novs = a foot. Chota, Goungh, India. 6 16". ? 18". Legs bluish. Bill 3" to 3V, dusky. Crown brown, with pale broad eye-streak. Flanks barred. Genus IBIDORHYNCHUS. Iftis = Ibis ; pvyxos = a bill. No hind toe, and outer toe free or nearly so. NUMENIUS . — IBIDORH YNCHUS . 69 p i o i 879. Ibidorhynchus struthersi. The Red-billed Curlew. c? 16"; 10 oz. Legs blood-red. Bill 3f", crimson. Head black, mixed grey and margined white. Plumage olive. Peculiar to Himalayas. Hodgson says it has the short legs and feet of a Plover. Gould remarks that its legs and feet are those of an Oyster-catcher, and its bill that of an Ibis. 70 SCOLOPACHm Subfamily Tkingin^e. Stints. Bill moderate, soft, and occasionally dilated or curved. Wings long. Tail short. Toes usually divided to base or with rudimentary web. Stints have shorter bills and legs than Godwits, and shorter and softer bills than Sandpipers. Change of plumage in summer darker above and rufous beneath. Frequent marine marshes and sea-shore. Retire north in summer. It is on the shore, after recess of the tide, in company with other species, that these birds are seen collecting their food from the refuse of the ocean, or quietly and intently probing the moist sand for worms and small shell-fish, running before the advancing surf and profiting by what is left behind. Genus PHILOMACHUS. (juXea = I love ; fidxv = a figlit. Web only between outer and middle toe. Males much larger than females. 880. Philomachus pugnax. The Ruff. Pugnax = fond of fighting ; from pugna = a fight. Geh-wala, India. 6 12" to 13"; 6 oz. Legs yellow. Bill 1^", brown. — In winter: Male has upper plumage brown, with black spots. Lower parts white. Female smaller. — In summer : Male only has ruff. Genus TRINGA. The late Latin form of Aristotle's rpvyyas. Derivation unknown. Bill channelled almost to the tip. Toes free or barely united by a web. (i.) Bill straight. Small web. 881. Tringa canutus. The Knot. In honour of King Canute, hecause it was supposed to come from Denmark; or perhaps from its littoral habits, in allusion to the story of Canute's celebrated reproof to his courtiers. $ 10". Legs black. Bill 1|", bluish. — In winter: Ash-grey. — In summer : Above dark black, edged brown and white. Beneath chest- nut. TRINGA. 71 (ii.) Bill distinctly turned down at tip. Toes perfectly free. Tringa crassirostris. The Thick-billed Stint. S Hi" to 12". ? 1H" to 12". Legs dusky. Bill \h" to 2", black. — In lointer : Breast mottled, brown spots heart-shaped. Above ashy, tipped white. — In summer : Breast-feathers black, with white cross- baud. (S. F. i. 240.) 882. Tringa subarquata. The Curlew Stint. Subarquata = a little like a Curlew, Arqudta. 3 8" to 8f". Legs grey. Bill H", black. — In winter: Face, throat, and beneath white. Brown streak from gape to eye. 883. Tringa cinclus. The Dunlin. $ 7V'. Bill If", black. — In winter : Ash-brown, shafts darker. Central tail dark brown. Laterals ashy, edged white. Abdomen white. — In summer : Head and abdomen black. Breast spotted white. 884. Tringa minuta. The Little Stint. Chota pan loha, India. <$ 6". Legs black. Bill T 7 ¥ ", black. — In winter : Above and sides ash-brown. Below white. — In summer : Head, above, and central tail black, edged rufous. Breast reddish. Shafts of primaries mostly white. Middle toe §". Tringa damacensis is like "minuta." Shafts of primaries, with exception of first, brown. Middle toe 1". (S. F. i. 244.) Tringa albescens. S 4". ? 41". Legs blackish. Bill black. Forehead white. Pri- mary shafts white about centre, sullied near base. Breast white. 885. Tringa temmincki. The White-tailed Stint. In honour of Coenraad Jacob Tenmrinck, Keeper of the Leyden Museum, b. 1778, d. 1858. cJ 6" to 6£". Bill j 7 ", black. — In winter : Above brown, with dusky streaks. Four central tail-feathers ash-brown. Laterals, throat, bellv, and undcrtail pure white. 72 scolopacim:. 886. Tringa platyrhyncha. The Broad-billed Stint. 7r\aTvs = broad ; pvyxos = a bill. 6 6£" to 7". Legs dusky. Bill 1" to 1^", black. Sexes same size. Bill flat and slightly bent. — In ivinter : Above, tail, breast, and under- tail tinged rufous. — In summer : Above black, edged rufous. Black breast-spots. Tringa sibirica. The Eastern Stint. In summer : Crown and above broadly margined bright rufous. Upper throat unspotted. (S. F. v. 344.) Genus EURINORHYNCHUS. ev = well ; piv = nose ; pvy^os = a bill. Bill with tip expanded. Toes well cleft. Small outer web. 887. Eurinorhynchus pygmams. The Spoon-billed Stint. £ 6|". Legs black. Bill 1", black. Forehead white. Tail-coverts dark. Shafts white, tipped black. Lower parts snow-white. Genus CALIDRIS. nakihpts or (wakibpis — a speckled water-bird in Aristotle. Derivation unknown. No hind toe. Web very small. 888. Calidris arenaria. The Sanderling. Arenaria = pertaining to sand, arena. 27-10-75. PIIALAPvOPUS. 73 d" 7V' to 8"; If oz. Legs black. Bill 1", black.—//* winter : Ashy. Shafts brown. Head, edge of wing, and tail deep grey. — In summer : Head and cheeks black. Back, neck, and breast reddish, with black spots. Subfamily Phalaropinje. Phalaropes or Lobefoots. Toes bordered by lobes. Plumage dense. Males incubate ; female forsakes nest. Inhabit north regions. Appearance in India occasional and acci- dental. Of dense plumage, said to swim and dive well. Yarrell classes them with Coots. Males alone incubate, females forsaking nest and leading a wandering life. Genus PHALAROPUS. Phalaropus, from (pakapis = a Coot, in classical Greek, which is from (paXapo* = having a patch of white (on its forehead) ; ttovs = a foot. Feet lobed. (i.) Bill broad. 889. Phalaropus fulicarius. The Common Phalarope. Fidlccirius = like a Coot, fulica. 6 8|". ? 8". Legs green. Bill f ", red, tip brown, — In winter : Forehead and crown white. Grey nape-streak. White bar on wing. Beneath white. (ii.) Bill pointed. 890. Phalaropus hyperboreus. The Lesser Phalarope. Hyperboreus = northern ; vntpPopeos = beyond Boreas, " at the back of the north wind ; " from vnep = above, and fioptas = the north wind, the north. 6 6|". Legs green. Bill f ", dusky. — In winter : Crown brown. Back and tail brown, edged red. — In summer: Above black, edged red. Neck red. 74 scolopacim:. Subfamily Totanin^e. Sandpipers. Bill moderate, tip hard and pointed. Outer toe joined by web to middle one. Change of plumage in summer to black or dusky beneath, and not rufous. Migratory birds scattered in both hemispheres. Winter visitants to India, breeding in North and Central Europe and Asia. They pick up small Crustacea and molluscs from the surface, and do not insert their bills deeply like Snipes and Stints. Several are solitary in their habits. Genus ACTITIS. Bill long, straight, and grooved to tip. Slight change for summer plumage. 891. Actitis glareola. The Spotted Sandpiper. Glareola, a diminutive from glarea = gravel, from its haunting gravelly places. Chupka, Chobaha, India; Chinna ulanka (Telugu). 6 8^" to 9". Legs green. Bill 1£", green, tip black. — In winter : Forehead and above deep brown, with grey spots. Tail barred black and white; laterals white-spotted. — In summer: Back with black spots. 892. Actitis ochropus. The Green Sandpiper. Ochropus, from capo's = pale yellow, and ttovs = a foot. Nella ulanka (Telugu). 6 9|" to 10^". Legs green. Bill 1^", green, tip black. — In winter : Above ashy, tinged green, with edging of small white spots. Tail, basal third white, rest white barred brown. — In summer : Darker, greener, and more spotted. 893. Actitis hypoleucos. The Common Sandpiper. Hypolcucos = vnoXevKos, "which generally = whitish (pale from the ordinary sense of vno in composition, "somewhat"), but here plainly = white underneath. It was the bird's common mediaeval name. Potti ulanka (Telugu). 6 7f" to 8j". Legs pale green. Bill 1", dusky. In winter and summer the same. Above and four central tail-feathers glossed green, with cross brown lines. Quills, except first two, with spot on inner web. ACTITIS.— TOTANUS. 75 898. Actitis hypoleucos. Genus TOTANUS. Totanus, Latinized from the Italian Totano. Derivation unknown. Bill distinctly curved, groove not extending to tip. 894. Totanus glottis. The Common Greenshanks. yXwTTis = mouth of the windpipe. Tim timma, India ; Gotra, Bengal. (J 13" to 15". Legs greenish. Bill 2" to 2-^-", dusky. — In winter and summer the same. Tail cross-barred and laterals white, with narrow streak on outer web. Head white, with brown streaks. Back brown, edged yellow. 895. Totanus stagnatilis. The Lesser Greenshanks. Stagnatilis = pertaining to ponds. Chota gotra, Bengal. $ 10V'. Legs pale green. Bill If", dusky. — In winter : Ash-brown. Quills brown, shafts white. Cheeks, neck, breast, and flanks spotted brown. — In summer : Beneath small, round, black spots. 896. Totanus fuscus. The Spotted Redshanks. JFuscus = dusky. Batan, India ; Yerra Kal ulanka (Telugu). d 13" ; 7\ to 9 oz. Legs orange-red. Bill 2\ n , orange, tip black' — In winter : Black patch near eye. Central tail ash-grey ; outer tail g2 76 scolopacim:. vandyked white. — In summer : Vent and lower tail barred white and brown. 896. Totanus fuscus. 897. Totanus calidris. The Common Redshanks. KaXiSpis or o-KaXtSpti = a speckled water-bird, in Aristotle. Chota battan, India. JO-10-76. H1MANT0PUS. — RECURVIROSTRA. 7 7 J 101" to 11 V'; Goz. Legs pale red. Bill If", red, tip dusky. Above brown. Darker shafts white and brown. Known in flight by white on wing. Family HIMANTOPID2E. Stilts and Avocets. Bill very long and very thin, sometimes recurved. Plumage black and white. Legs long. Found in most parts of the globe. Breed in north region of N. Africa. Rarely if ever swim. When flying have peculiar Tern-like call. Avocets, from their strongly webbed feet, were classed by Tem- minck and others near the Flamingo. Genus HIMANTOPUS. Himantopus = a kind of water-bird, in Oppian (circ. a.d. 180) ; from ijids = a thong, and ttovs = a foot. Bill twice as long as head. Long thin legs. 898. Himantopus candidus. The Common Stilt. Candldus = of a glistening white. Gaj-paon, India ; Lalgori, Lamgora, Bengal. J 15V'. Legs lake-red. Bill 2|", red, tip black. Back, neck, and tail grey. Wing, back of head black, glossed green. Rest white. Genus RECURVIROSTRA. Recurvirostra, from recurvus = turned back, and rostrum = the beak. Bill turned up, channelled above and below. 899. Recurvirostra avocetta. The Common Avocet. The Italian name ; said to be connected with avis = a bird. Kusya-chaha, Behar. p = water ; (paaiavos = Pheasant. No forehead-lappet. Tail very long. 901. Hydrophasianus chirurgus. The Pheasant-tailed Jacana. Xfipovpyos = a surgeon. Piho, India ; Dalkukra, Bengal. j 18"; 2 20". Legs green. Bill blue, tip green. — In winter: Hair brown, barred white. Golden eye-line. — In summer : Head white, with black mark on crown. Above olive. Tail black. First and fourth quills tipped with white. Family RALLID.E. Ralhis = thin. Bill short and wedge-shaped. Large feet. Tail short or none. Wing rounded, often with spur. Extensively represented in Australia and Oceania; less so in Malayan Islands. General aspect and partially vegetable diet give them the appearance of Gallinaceous birds. Subfamily Gallinulin^e. Base of bill in many expands into a frontal plate. Toes bordered by narrow web. Scattered generally throughout the world. Genus PORPHYRIO. Porphyrio = irop8ios = a Heron (Virgil, Georg. i. 364). Tibia feathered to the knee nearly. 930. Ardeola grayi. The Paddy-Bird or Pond-Heron. c? 18|". Legs dull green. Bill blue, yellow, and black. Crest white. Neck yellow. Back maroon. — In winter : Head, breast, and thigh fulvous. Ardeola prasinosceles. d 21"; 11 oz. Legs bright orange. Bill black, yellow, and pale blue. Chin and neck-stripe white. Head and back of neck chestnut. Crest of long pointed feathers ; longest 4". Breast and side-feathers disintegrated. Back black; rest of bird white. (S. F. ii. 481.) Genus BUTORIDES. Inner toe short. Neck thick and short. 931. Butorides javanica. The Green Heron. cJ 16" to 17". Legs greenish. Bill black and yellow. Head black. Back green. Central line to breast white. h2 92 ARDEIDiE. Genus ARDETTA. Ardetta, diminutive of Ardea = a Heron, on the analogy of the Italian Garzetta Sec. In Pliny the diminutive is Ardeola. Toes long, and claws strong. Of small size. Of nocturnal habits. These may be said to be Bitterns with Egret bills. 932. Ardetta flavicollis. The Black Bittern. 3 23" to 24". Legs pale brown. Bill red-brown. — In summer : Golden stripe on sides of neck. Neck-feathers mixed white, brown, and black. Ardetta cinnamomea. The Chestnut Bittern. S 16". Legs greenish. Bill yellow. Pectoral gorget dark brown in centre. — Young birds : Feathers brown, with yellow edges. 934. Ardetta sinensis. The Yellow Bittern. 3 14" to 15". $ 6 oz. Legs pale green. Bill pale yellow. Top of head, quills, and tail black. 935. Ardetta minuta. The Little Bittern. Minida = small, from minuo = I diminish. d 14". Legs greenish. Bill yellow. Head, back, and tail black. Genus BOTAURUS. Botaums = a Bittern, in late Latin ; prohably akin to our " Bittern." French bidn?; Szc. Certainly not derived from bos-\-tauras, though perhaps confused therewith in popular etymology. Long lax feathers. Plumage game. Toe longer than tarsus. 936. Botaurus stellaris. The Common Bittern. S 26" to 30". Legs greenish. Bill yellow and brown. Moustache black. Neck yellow, with brown spots. Genus GOISAKIUS. Short thick neck. Middle toe shorter than the tarsus. Goisakius melanolophus. $ l?"tol9"; fib. Mantle dull chestnut, finely barred black-brown. NTCTICOEAX. — TANTALUS. 93 Rump and upper tail-coverts slate. First three primaries blackish, broadly tipped white j others tipped chestnut. Wing- lining, axillaries, flanks, and under tail-coverts barred black and white. (S. F. ii. 812.) Genus NYCTICORAX. wKTiKopat- = a Nightjar in Aristotle, a Screech-Owl in the Anthology (xi. 18G) ; but strictly a "Night-Raven," from j/v£-|-Kopa|. Third quill longest. Tarsus scaled. 937. Nycticorax griseus. The Common Night-Heron. 6 21" to 24". Legs greenish. Bill black. Eye-streak white. Back black, glossed green. Crest of narrow feathers fitting into each other. The Boat-bill of South America (Cancroma cochlearia) is evidently a Heron; the Whale-bill of Africa (Balceniceps rex) is another nearly related form, and the Umbre {Scopus umbretta) is usually considered as belouging to this family. Family TANTALID^E. Bill hard, long, cylindrical, and curved. Front toes joined at base by web. The Ibises and Spoonbills are said not to belong to the same group as Herons. They inhabit warmer parts of Asia, Africa, and America. They hunt about for their food. Subfamily Tantalin^e. Bill very large, thick, rounded, and smooth. Genus TANTALUS. Tantalus, King of Phrygia, ancestor of the Pelopidse (akin to rakavrov, rakavTaa, TavTaKou)), probably in relation to the mythological story of his hanging balanced over water. Tip of bill bent down, emarginated. 938. Tantalus leucocephalus. The Pelican Ibis. 6 42". Legs fleshy. Bill deep yellow. Plumage white. Tertiaries rosy, with darker band and tipped white. 94 TANTALIDiE. Subfamily Platalein^e. Bill broad, flat, and depressed. Genus PLATALEA. Plaicilea = the Spoonbill, in Cicero, N. D. ii. 49, 124. Platea, in Pliny, H. N. x. 40, 56, probably from nXarvs = broad. Bill like a spatula. Second quill longest. 939. Platalea leucorodia. The Spoonbill Ibis. Leucorodia = the late Latin form of \evK€pa>?>i6s ; from XevKos = white, epabtos = a Heron. c? 31" to 36". Legs black. Bill black, tip yellow. Breast-patch buff-yellow, extending towards back. Crest long. — Female smaller. Subfamily AisrASTOMATiNiE. Bill thick, coarse, and gaping in the middle. Genus ANASTOMUS. "Ava = up and down ; o-Top-a = a mouth. Second and third quills subequal. 940. Anastomus oscitans. The Shell Ibis. d 1 29" to 32 /x . Legs fleshy. Bill green. Plumage ash-grey. Wing and tail black. Some nearly white, supposed to be adults. Subfamily Ibisin^. !/3ts = the Ibis, an Egyptian bird to which divine honours were paid. Bill long, thin, curved, and channelled. Breed on trees. Genus THRESKIORNIS. Head and neck nude and black. 941. Threskiornis melanocephalus. The White Ibis. d 29". Legs black. Bill black. Plumage white, glossed green. Tcrtiarics with open barbs. GEltOJSTJLCUS. 95 96 T ANT ALICE. Genus GERONTICUS. ytpovTiKos = old age, or belonging to an old man. Top of head nude. Tarsus scaled. 942. Geronticus papillosum. The King Curlew or Black Ibis. cj 25" to 30" ; 3£ lbs. Legs brick-red. Bill leaden. Plumage black. Bed warts on back of head. Wings and tail steel-blue. Sexes alike. G-eronticus davisoni. c? 32" to 32^" ; 3^ to 4 lbs. Legs coral-red. Bill plumbeous. Head black ; anterior portion only covered with small brown warts ; none on crown and occiput. Broad white necklet. (S. F. iii. 300.) Genus FALCINELLUS. Fair, j 'aids, f . = a sickle. Face nude. 943. Falcinellus igneus. The Glossy Ibis. S 22". Legs with blue garter. Bill blackish. Head, breast, and below chestnut ; rest dark green, glossed purple. — Young : Ash-brown, with white markings. NATATORES WATER BIRDS Order. - Sub- order. Tribe. ^ LAMELLIROSTRES. — Broad bill, covered with soft skin .and edged with thin lamellae; the tip alone horny GO •& Pi ^ (U i— I H > += a s CD •^H £ ( >j 5> O GO ^ o fcp t?H ^ S ■5 !* Wq E P ^ [own. O 2 *g EH +j < |h H ■5 <^ iT fc 73 o MERGITORES. — Bill long, .straight, and pointed. Hind toe lobed VA GA TORES.— Bill hooked at | tip or pointed. Wings long and % pointed T PISCATORES. — Feet _ entirely ^ webbed, and hind toe joined to ^g inner front toe by web. Legs r^ short S TJR1XA TORES.— Usually three toes only, or with small hind toe pointing forwards Fa:l / PHdNICOPTERIDJE.]! Bill suddenly bent dow CYGNIDJE.— Lengthen, high at base and of e; no seasonal change .. J ,- ANSERESVE j CEREOPSIN.E • e f «,„, V»p ' PLECTROPTERIN-E narrower in iront man oe- j iffers slightly ] NETTOPODIN.E I TADORNIN.E at base than high, of equal f ANATIN.E li numerous lamella?. Sexes J col. edged with teeth ; tip ire or less crested il, and can stand upright, webbed. Frequent seas in , bordered with large loose ng. Under-plumage silky, ig striped black and white . . much hooked, and appears itained in one tube sar and basal. Hind toe age grey and white, or black FULIGULIN.E f DIOMEDIN.F: .... J PROCELLARIN.E | PUFFININ.E .... L IlALODROMINvE f LESTRIDIN^E . . ! LARINVE STERNIN.E al tail-feathers very long, a \ • J til we lge-shaped ong ; both mandibles bent "l bill, with pouch indric, hooked, and grooved. k These might all be included under one family : — PELECANILLE. r i sharp on culmen. No hind ALCTN.E fully webbed. Short wings. ivewe11 I uriin.e ;s reduced in some cases to a athers. Live almost entirely Genus. Page Flamingoes R'l Swans 103 True Geese 104 New-Holland Geese* 107 Spur Geese l^ 1 ' Cotton Teal 108 j Whistling Teal 108 I SlIELLDRAKES 109 I True Ducks (River) 110 j Teal H8 f Pochards (Sea) or Diving [ Ducks 121 Mergansers 124 Imbers, Divers, or Loons*. . . . \'2o Grebes 126 Albatrosses* l-< Petrels 128 Puffin Petrels 129 Diving Petrels 130 Skuas 130 Gulls Ml r Terns 136 Noddies 143 L SerssoR-BiLLS 143 Tropic-birds 144 Boobies 145 Frigate-birds 145 Pelicans 146 f Cormorants 145 L Darters 149 I Auks* 149 I Puffins* 149 Guillemots* 149 Penguins* 149 ented in India. 101 Order NATATORES. WATER BIRDS. Swimmers. So variously organized that few generalizations can be made. The connections of this order are not very apparent. Some imagine that it is related on one side through the Geese with the Rasores, others through the Grebes with the Coots. Again, the Frigate-birds show a decided tendency towards Raptores. Feet more or less fully webbed. Legs placed far back. Plumage thick, close, with quantity of down. Hind toe small or wanting. (A) The young following the parent as soon as hatched. Tribe LAMELL1ROSTRES. Lamella = a small plate ; rostrum = a bill. Food chiefly vegetable. Broad bill, covered with soft skin and edged with thin lamellae. The tip alone horny. Family PHCENICOPTERIDJE. Neck and leg of great length. Bill suddenly bent down. Have fleshy tongue and anatomical structure of Ducks. Found in warmer parts of the world. Genus PHCENICOPTERUS. (PoiviKOTTTfpos = red-feathered. Bill high at base and suddenly bent down. First and second quills subequal and longest. Fifth remix present in wing. 944. Phoenicopterus antiquus. The Common Flamingo. Bag-hans, Raj-hans, India ; Pukonga (Telugu) ; Pu-nari (Tamil). $ 52"; 10 lbs. ? 42". Legs rose-red. Bill rosy, black tip. Plumage rosy white. Quills black. — Young mixed brown and dusky. 102 piicenicopterim:. P1KENIC0PTERUS.— CYGNUS. 103 Phcenicopterus minor. The Smaller Flamingo. c? 33" to 34". ? 30". Legs deep red. Bill red, tip black.— In winter : Pale rosy. — In summer : Bright rose, with cherry-coloured plumes on scapulars. (S. F. i. 35.) Family CYGNID^. Lengthened neck, but short legs. Bill high at base and of equal breadth throughout. Of very large size. Feed on seeds, roots of water-plants, and also on grass. Sexes alike, no seasonal change. Genus CYGNUS. kvkvos = a Swan. Bill covered with short fleshy core that extends in a point to the eye on each side. Nostrils more or less in middle of bill, rather oblique and oval. Second and third quills equal and longest. Hind toe short and without any marginal lobe. Cygnus olor. The Mute Swan. (The " Tame Swan n of Europe.) Olor = a Swan, in classical Latin, especially in poetry. Perhaps a Spanish word. Cf. Welsh alarch. Penr, Punjab ; Koday, Yarkand. ^551"; 15 lbs. ? 53"; 13 lbs. Legs black. Bill red-orange. Plumage white, with cream or buff tinge. Tail comparatively long and wedge-shaped. (H. & M. iii. 41.) Cygnus musicus. The Hooper Swan. Miisieus = musical : from Miisa = the Muse. c?60"; 19 lbs. ? 52"; 16^ lbs. Legs black. Bill black. No protuberance on bill. Basal part of bill bright yellow. Frontal feathers prolonged into an angle. Plumage white. (H. & M. iii. 47.) Cygnus bewicM. Bewick's Swan. Beiviclci, named after Thomas Bewick (b. 1753, d. 1828), author of the ' History of British Birds.' S 42" to 50". ? 39" to 40". Legs black. Bill black. No protu- berance on bill. Bare space from eye to nostril yellow. Plumage white and light grey-brown. — Young birds brown. 104 ANSEKID^E. Family ANSERIDiE. Bill short, narrower in front than behind. Plumage of sexes differs slightly. Live in flocks, breeding mostly in Polar regions. Subfamily Ansekin^e. Teue Geese. Bill short, high at base, and conical. Laminar teeth more or less exposed. Large heavy body, with long neck and small head. Genus ANSER. Anser, anseris = a Goose. Bill at base as high as head. Of large size and grey plumage. Bill pale. Legs usually reddish. 945. Anser cinereus. The Lag or Grey Goose. Cinereus = ash-coloured ; from cineres = ashes. Raj-hans, Hans, India ; Kallank, Karhans, Bhaugulpore ; Sona, N. W. P. ; Mogala, Nepal ; Kangnai, Manipar ; Ghaz, Kashgar. $ 30" to 35" ; 5| to 9 lbs. Legs tile-red. Bill fleshy, tip white. Head and neck dove-brown, tinged grey. Irides deep brown. Anser segetum. The Bean-Goose. Segetum =gen. pi. of seges = a cornfield. $ 31". Legs orange -yellow. Bill black, with orange band. Like the Grey-lag, but smaller. Colour nearly uniform. (H. & M. iii. 67.) 946. Anser brachyrhynchus. The Pink-footed Goose. Short-beaked, from (Bpaxvs + pvyxos. ? 26" to 30" ; 6 lbs. $ 5 lbs. Legs pink. Bill red, nail black. Head and neck brown. Body brown, with white waves. First and second primaries bluish, others black. 947. Anser albifrons. The White-fronted or Laughing Goose. Alblfrons = with a white forehead ; from albus -\-frons. $ 26" to 28" ; 4^ to 5^ lbs. Legs orange. Bill purple, nail white. Forehead and cheeks white, with brown band. Above ash-brown. Beneath white, with black cross bands. ANSER. 105 106 anserim:. o ANSER.— SARCIDIORNIS. 107 948. Anser minutus. The Dwarf Goose. £ 22" ; 4 lbs. Legs red. Bill orange. Back and scapulars dark grey, with cross bands. Primaries grey. Abdomen black, bordered white. Flanks dark grey. 949. Anser indicus. The Barred-headed Goose. Indlcus = Indian ; from its native country. Birooa, Raj-hans, N. W.P.; Paria, Nepal; Nang-pa, Ladak; Dod-sarle- hake, Mysore ; Neer bathoo, Coimbatore ; Kangnai, Manipur ; Badi-hans, Chitta- gong. $ 27%" to 33^"; 4 to 7 lbs. Legs orange. Bill yellow. Two bars on head and neck. Above ash-grey. Flanks cinnamon. Subfamily Cereopsin^e. New-Holland Geese. Peculiar to Australia. Seldom enter water. Appear to have affinities both with Rasores and Grallatores. Subfamily Plectropterix^e. Wing with one spur or more. Genus SARCIDIORNIS. o-apicihiou ; from o-dpg = a bit of flesh, and opvis = a bird. Bill with fleshy boss. Plumage black and white. 950. Sarcidiornis melanonotus. The Comb Duck or Black- backed Spur Goose. Nukhta, India ; Nukwa, Chota Nagpur ; Jutu chiUawa (Telugu) ; Neer- koli, Coimbatore ; Tanbay, Pegu ; Bowkban (Karen). S 30" to 34" ; 6 lbs. ? 26". Legs greenish. Bill black. Head and neck white, spotted. Above black, glossed purple. Back ash- grey. — Female : No boss on bill. Subfamily Nettopodin^e. Bill small, high at base. 108 anserim:. Genus NETTOPUS. vrjTTa = a Duck; from veco = I swim, and ttovs = a foot. Bill narrowing in front. Laraellse concealed. Tail rounded, of 12 feathers. 951. Nettopus coromandelicus. The Cotton Teal or White- bodied Goose Teal. Girri, India ; Gur-gurrah, Etawah ; Bullia-hans, Dacca ; Ade adla, Rutna- giri ; Chik-sarle-haki, Mysore ; Neer-akee, Coimbatore ; Karagat, Arakan. 6 12i" to 14"; 8 to 11 oz. $ 121" to 12f"; 6| to 9 oz. Legs greenish. Bill black. Face, neck, and below white. Black neck- collar. Above black, glossed brown. — Female : Brown, neck mottled. No white patch on primaries. Subfamily Tadoknijst^e. Bill more or less raised at base and flattened tip. Plumage more or less rufous. Sexes nearly alike. Genus DENDROCYGNA. Bevbpov = a tree; kvkvos = a Swan. Bill large, long, and of uniform width. Second and third and fourth primaries subequal and longest. No wing-spot. 952. Dendrocygna javanica. The Common Whistling Teal. Soreil, Saral, Bengal ; Silli, India ; Chihee, Etawah ; Yerra chilluwa (Telugu) ; Yerreindi, Quilon ; Sisalee, Pegu ; Tingi, Manipur. c? 16" to 18"; 1 to \\ lbs. Legs dark. Bill black. Head wood- brown, darkening on to black. Rump and wing-coverts maroon. Lower surface light chestnut. 953. Dendrocygna fulva. The Large Whistling Teal. Murghabi, Bengal; Badak, Deccan, Yerrinda, Travancorc; Silli, India; Sisalee, Pegu. c?21"; If lbs. ? 19^"; 1^ lbs. Legs dark. Bill leaden. Head and neck chestnut. In centre of neck a patch of whitish hackles. Flank-feathers long. CASAliCA.— TADORNA. 109 Genus CASARCA. Casarca, a proper name = Goose, in South Russian ; Tartar karakchds = black Goose. Bill of uniform width, depressed towards tip. Nail large. Brilliant wing-spot. 954. Casarca rutila. The Brahminy Duck or Ruddy Shelldrake. Sarkhab, Chakwa, Chakwi, India; Mungh, 8md\ Sarza, Sattara; Neer- bathoo, S. India ; Bassana Chilluwa (Telugu) ; Hintha, Pegu ; Surkhed, Cabul ; Hangat, Tarkand. 6 24^" to 27"; 3 to 4± lbs. $ 21|" to 24"; 2 to 3£ lbs. Legs black. Bill black. Neck yellow, with black collar. Upper tail green- black. — Female smaller and no collar. 955. Casarca scutulata. The White-winged Shelldrake. Scutulata = diamond or lozenge-shaped, chequered. 6 28". Legs black. Bill yellow. Head and neck mottled black and white. Above black-brown. Breast black. (Hume puts these with "Anas," H. & M. iii. 147.) Genus TADOENA. Tadorna, an Italian word, which seems first to occur in Belon, 1585, as the Latinized name of a hird. Bill short, high, swelling at base, and concave in middle. Tip flat and turning up. Nail hooked. 956. Tadorna cornuta. The Burrow Duck or Common Shelldrake. Cornuta = horned ; from cvmu = a horn. Shah-chakwa, Upper India; Niraji, Smd; Shah moorghabi, Cahul. 6 23" to 25"; 3 lbs. $ 21" to 22"; 2 lbs. Legs red. Bill red, tip black. Brown breast-band, uniting on back. Mesial black line. — Female : Lower plumage white, mottled brown ; no band. i no ANATIDd* Family ANATID.E. Bill broader at base than high, of equal width or wider at tip, with numerous lamellae. Sexes differ greatly. Subfamily Anatin^e. River-Ducks. Hind toe not bordered. Bill usually of even width throughout or SPATULA. — ANAS. Ill wider at tip, not raised at base. Numerous fine lamelhe. Rapid flight. Genus SPATULA. SpatMa = a small flat instrument, any thing broad like a spoon, spatha. Bill much dilated. Lamellae very fine and projecting. 957. Spatula clypeata. The Shoveller. Ch/pedta = armed with a shield, clypeus or clipeus ; from its white shield-like gorget. Tidari, Punana, N. W. P. ; Alipat, Sind ; Kanak-aurdak, Yarkcuid. S 19" to 22". ? 18" to 19". Legs orange. Bill brownish. Head, back, rump, upper and lower tail brown, glossed green. Lesser coverts grey. Speculum bright green. — Female dark brown, edged whitish. Genus ANAS. vi)Tra= a duck, from veco = to swim. Bill not so deep as wide, of nearly uniform width. Lamellae short. Nostrils near base of bill. 958. Anas boschas. The Mallard or Common Wild Duck. Nilsir, India; Lilgah, Nepal; Niroji, Sind; Sabz-zurdan, Cabul; Sun, Yar- hand. S 22£" to 24"; 2i to 4 lbs. ? 20" to 2H" ; 2 to 2£ lbs. Legs orange. Bill yellowish. Head emerald-green. Speculum prussian- blue. Four central tail-feathers curled. — Female : Browm, edged lighter. Head and neck yellowish. Fifth remix absent. 959. Anas poecilorhyncha. The Spotted-billed Duck. Garmpai, India ; Gugral, A. W. P. ; Huiijur, Sind ; Kara, Manipwr ; Naddun, Nepal. $ 24" to 26" ; 2i to 3^ lbs. ? 22" to 24" ; 2 to 2£ lbs. Sexes alike. Brown eye-line. Speculum green, with black tip, edged white. Greater coverts white, edged deep black. i2 112 ANA'I \DA : ANAS 113 {••58. Anas bust has. 114 ANATLDJE. ANAS.— MARECA. 1 1 5 960. Anas caryophyllacea. The Pink-headed Duck. Saknal, Bengal] Lai sira, India ; Doomvax, Nepal; Doomar, Tirhoot. cf 24". Legs black. Bill rosy, tip bluish. In summer: Rosy tuft. Plumage chocolate. — Female more dull. Vertex with brown spot. Genus CHAULELASMUS. xav\6s = loose, gaping; a word found only in classical Greek, ^auXio'Sou? = with outstanding teeth ; and eXaa-pos = metal beaten out, a metal plate, from eXavva) — 1 drive, strike, beat out. From the projecting laminae of the upper mandible. Bill narrows slightly towards tip. Small nail. Lamellae long. 961. Chaulelasmus streperus. The Gaowall or Grey Duck. Streperus = noisy. Mila, India; Beykhur, N. W. P. ; Mail, Nepal; Burd, Sind; Syah-dum, Cabul. S 20" to 2U"; H to 2 lbs. ? 18" to 20"; 1 to If lbs. Back brown, with crescent lines. Wing-coverts chestnut. Speculum white and black. — Female brown, edged buff. Bill pale, with red mai*gins. Genus DAFILA. Tail long, with central tail elongated. Lamellae not projecting. 962. Dafila acuta. The Pin-tailed Duck. Acuta = sharp, pointed ; from acuo = I sharpen. Sinkpar, .V. W. P. ; Dighons, Bengal ; Laitunga, Manvpur; Taw-boy, Burmah ; Digoonch, Nepal; Kokarali, Drighush, Sind; Sink-dum, Cabul; Chasugshu- aurdah, Yarkand. <$ 22" to 29"; If to 2| lbs. ? 20" to 22" ; 1 to 2 lbs. Head umber. White neck-streaks. Speculum green, glossed purple. Long central tail black — Female brown, edged white. Genus MARECA. Mareca, the native name, according to Marcgrave, ot the Brazilian Teal (Que?-q>'e- dula Orasiliensis). Bill raised at base, narrowing. Lamellae project in centre. Short tail cuneate. 116 anatim:. MARECA. 117 963. Mareca penelope. The Wigeon or Whew. Penelope] nrjveXo^ = a kind of Duck with purple stripes, in classical Greek, which was said to have fed Penelope (subsequently the wife of Ulysses) after her parents had thrown her into the sea. Pea-san, Patari, N". W. P. ; Cheyun, Nepal; Parow, Sind; Ade, Eatnagiri. 3 19" to 19i"; 1± to H lbs. ? 18" to 19"; 1£ to If lbs. Legs Munchur Lake. leaden. Bill blue, black tip. Crown yellow. Neck chestnut. Specu- lum green, bounded above and below with black. — Female fulvous. Head speckled. 118 aa t atim:. Genus QUERQUEDULA. Querquedula, a kind of Duck mentioned by Varro and Columella; perhaps from KepKovpos = a light vessel used by the Cyprians, or from KepKaipco = I ring. Professor Skeat says the name is from an onomatopoeic base, querq or kark, significative of any loud noise. According to O. Midler's conjecture, from the Greek KepKovpos. Hence the French cercelle. Bill moderate, of uniform width, slightly raised at base. Lamellae not apparent. Nail small, tip obtuse. 964. Querquedula crecca. The Common Teal. Crecca, probably from its note. Cf. Crex, q. v., and the German Kriech-E/ite ; old English Cracker = Pintail. Moorghabi, India ; Kerra, N. W. P. ; Naroib, Bengal ; Baiji-lagairi, Nepal ; Kardo, Sind ; Killowai, Madras ; Sorlai haki, Mysore ; Churaka, Cabul ; Alah- bash, Kurak-avirdak, Yarkand. S 141" to 16"; 10 to 15 oz. ? 13i" to 15"; 1\ to 12 oz. Legs greyish. Bill black. Green eye-patch. Head brown. Speculum green, with black sides, with yellow bar above. — Female : Throat, cheeks, and eye-band yellow, spotted black. 965. Querquedula circia. The Garganey or Blue-winged Teal. Circia, the ancient name, though not used by any classical author ; probably from the root of Kipicos = the Hawk. Chaitwa, N. W.P.; Ghangroib, Bengal; Sitch-dum, Cabul; Karak-aurdak, Yarkand. $ 16"; 10 oz. to 1 lb. ? 15"; 9 to 15 oz. Legs dusky. Bill blackish. White streak over eye. Speculum greyish green, with white bar above and below. — Female dusky, edged whitish. Wing-coverts ash-grey. 966. Querquedula formosa. The Bimaculated or Clucking-Teal. 8 15|"; 1 lb. Legs dusky. Bill dusky. Head purple, with white eye-line. Black throat-patch. Speculum green, ending velvet-black, bordered silver. — Female dusky, edged rufous. Tail-coverts white, with brown spots. Querquedula falcata. The Crested or Bronze-capped Teal. $ 19f"j If lbs. Legs drab. Bill black. Frontal spot white. Head bronze, with green eye-patch. Throat white, with greenish baud. Buck mottled. (II. & M. iii. 231.) QUERQUEDULA. 119 0(34. Querqiteduta crecca. 120 ANAT1DJE. 965. Querquedula circia. Querquedula angustirostris. The Marbled Teal. Legs brown. S 18| ff to 19" ; 1 lb. 5 oz. $ 17" to 171" ; 1 lb. 3 oz Bill with blue spot above nail. Back grey-brown. Scapulars with yellowish spots. — Female: Eye-patch less conspicuous. (S. F. i. 262.) Scarcely a Querquedula. Querquedula gibberifrous. The Oceanic Teal. S 16" to 18"; lib. ? 15" to 16"; 12 oz. Legs plumbeous. Bill greenish. Eye set in white ring. Full short occipital crest. Brilliant longitudinal metallic green wing-band. (H. & M. iii. 243.) BRANTA. — ATTHTA. 121 Subfamily Fuligulin^e. Diving Ducks. Stout heavy body. Coloured iu masses. Speculum less plain or wanting. Hind toe short and bordered. Feet large and webbed to the toes. Genus BRANTA. Brenta, a mediaeval word (Branta in Gesner and Aldrovandus). Brent = burnt; probably from its generally cbarred appearance. Bill long; tip depressed, with rather large nail. Lamellae distant, large, and prominent. 967. Branta rufina. The Red-crested Pochard. Bufina, apparently an adjectival form, from rufus = red. Doomer, Nepal; Rattoba, Sind; Nool-gool, Cabul; Kizil-bash aurdak, Yar- kand; Lalsir, N. W. P. $ 22". Legs waxy. Bill red, tip white. Crown-feathers elongated. Neck, breast, and abdomen black. Flanks white. Speculum white. — Female on water appears grey, with dark eye-stripe and crest. Genus AYTHYA. aWvia = a water-bird ; perbaps tbe Solan Goose or Gannet (Sula alba). 968. Aythya ferina. The Canvas-back or Red-headed Pochard. Ferlna = of or belonging to wild animals, feree ; perbaps in reference to its " game " flavour. Cf. German Tafel-Ente, " Table-duck." Lalsir, N. W. P.; Lalmuriya, Bengal; Cheoon, Bengal; Thadingnam, Mani- pur; Rutubah, Sind; Surkh-sir, Cabul. S 18" to 18i"; 2 to %\ lbs. ? 17" to 18"; \\ to 2\ lbs. Legs bluish. Bill blue; tip and base black. Back white, with black lines. Breast black. — Female the same, with breast red-brown, mottled white. 969. Aythya nyroca. The White-eyed Pochakd. Nyroca, Latinized from tbe Russian name, Ootna nyrok. Karchiya, N. W.P.; Lalbigri, Bengal; Burnu, Sind; Malac, Nepal; Chiki, Yarkand. S 16" to 17"; 1§ to l^lbs. $ 15" to 16£"; i^ lbs. Legs grey. Bill bluish. Head and breast red. Collar black. Abdomen white. — Female brown, edged pale. 122 ANATID^ 968. Aythya ferina. Genus FULIGULA. Fuliyulu, torfulicula, diminutive oifiili.v or Fuh'ca, q. v. Fidii/o = soot. Bill broad throughout ; tip broadest. Nostrils advanced. 970. Fuligula marila. The Scaup Pochard. Mania, from papik-q = the embers of charcoal; from its pitch-black fore parts. p = water; xektb&v = a Swallow. Bill long and slender. Tail slightly forked. Not fully webbed. 984. Hydrochelidon hybrida. The Small Marsh-Tern. Hyhrida = a mongrel, hybrid ; because Pallas thought it like a hybrid between H. nigra and Sterna Jluviatilis. 3 10" to 11". Legs dull red. Bill lake. Crown and nape black. White eye-line. Chin and cheeks grey. Abdomen dull black. — In winter : Front and round bill white. Beneath white. Hydrochelidon leucoptera. The White-winged Black Marsh- Tern. Leucoptera = XevKonTepos, white-winged ; from \cvkos + nrepov. v = shining. Toes webbed to the tip. Wings very long. Bill straight, curved on top. Margin of bill finely dentated. 996. Phaeton rubricauda. The Red-tailed Tropic-bird. Peafowls 11 Pea-Pheasants 11 Moonals 13 Tragopans 1* Blood-Pheasants 15 Koklass 15 Cheer (True) Pheasants 16 Kalij Pheasants 16 Silver Pheasants 17 Firehacks • ■ . • 18 Jungle-fowls IB Spur-fowls 19 Turkeys* 20 Guinea-fowls * 20 Snow-Cocks 20 Snow- Partridges 21 Partridges 21 Wood-Partridges 25 Jungle-Quails 28 True Quails 29 American Partridges* 31 True Grouse * 31 Bustard Quails 32 Button-Quails 32 Sheathhills* 34 Tinamous* 34 * Not represented in India. I- 152 GENEEAL INDEX. a o .P o a ^ rr! >^ a^ •i-l r^ f* 03 "£ ^ bD O •a -° .J2 03 10 s --> a o C5 ^ CO ■s © be Fh 03 C =M c3 P* -s * ££ fl co ce ^^ H H CO ft p CI OQ es ft P h- 1 O a pq b cS O 03 ^H O ITI H O ft P3 >-> T O W r-j 03 1 9 ft co 02 .3 t> o CO -+i CQ *® rr-t - ft w ft o 03 03 -^ ft H "S o > >* .13 P » g ° p ca be S .5 Page Flamingoes 101 Swans 103 True Geese 104 New-Holland Geese* 107 Spur-Geese 107 Cotton Teal 108 Whistling Teal 108 Shelldrakes 109 Ducks (River) 110 Teal 118 Pochards or Diving-Ducks 121 Mergansers 124 Imbers, Divers, or Loons* 125 Grebes 126 Albatrosses* 127 Petrels 128 Puffin Petrels 129 Diving Petrels 130 Skuas 130 Gulls 131 Terns 136 Noddies 143 Scissor-bills 143 Tropic-birds 144 Boobies 145 Frigate-birds 145 Pelicans 146 Cormorants 147 Darters 149 Auks* 149 Puffins* 149 Guillemots* 149 Penguins * 149 * Not represented in India.