so abrupt and short, that ere the gun is well up to the shoulder, the bird is down again. Irides, straw-yellow. Length, inclusive of tail, 5.7 inches: tail 1.4 inches. Fam. Struthionida, Vigors.-Genus Otis, Linn. Bustard.

166. Otis nigriceps, Gold's Cent. Himal. Birds.

This noble bird is so common in the Dukhun, that one gentleman has shot nearly a thousand. Gregarious. Egg, a perfect oval, brown olive, with obscure blotches of darker brown olive. Length 3.4 inches, diameter 2.7 inches. One only found in a hole in the earth on the open plain, and that considerably advanced in the process of incubation. Irides, deep brown. Length, male, inclusive of tail, 561⁄2 inches: tail 13 inches. Female 414 inches, inclusive of tail of 10 inches. Male supplied with the remarkable gular pouch common to the Otis tarda.

167. OTIS FULVA. Ot. suprà cacaotico-brunnea, plumis fulvo marginatis variegatisque ; tegminibus alarum, collo, pectoreque fulvis, punctis lineisve brunneis parcè notatis ; ventre, uropygio, femoribus, tegminibusque caudæ inferioribus fulvo-albis : tegminibus alarum inferioribus lateribusque cacaotico-nigris; caudâ fulvá fasciis quatuor cacaotico-brunneis notatá; mento guláque albis; vertice brunneo, striga mediá longitudinali albá.

3.4.

Irides rufescenti-lutescentes, radiis a pupillâ pallidè lutescentibus. Pedes flavescentes. Longitudo corporis ♂, 15.6 unc., caudæ 3.4: corporis, 17.4, caudæ The wings are of unequal length in the sexes; and the quills are singularly acuminated. Col. SYKES gives the following detailed description of the Otis fulva: Forehead, crown, back, scapulars, and first three quills rich chocolate brown; feathers of the back and scapulars triangular at the point, edged with fulvous, and barred in the centre and near the base with a broad bar of fulvous, mottled with chocolate. Round the eyes, a streak down the centre of the crown, whole neck, breast, wing-coverts, and tail buff or fulvous; the back neck closely speckled with minute dots of brown. On the wing-coverts a few scattered lines and specks of brown. Tail with four distant fuscous bars, the intermediate spaces beautifully barred with flexuose lines of fuscous. The fourth and following quills and secondaries marked like the tail. Two irregular fuscous streaks down the fore neck. Breast fulvous, with a few faint lines and spots of brown. Belly, vent, under tail-coverts, and thighs yellowish white. Under wing-coverts and sides of the body fine chocolate brown. Occasionally a feather is tipped with white on the wing-coverts. Upper mandible fuscous, lower yellowish. Chin and throat white, extending up towards the ears. Sexes exactly alike in plumage. The down at the base of all the feathers pink. Primary quills singularly acuminated, particularly in the male, terminating in a point as fine as that of a needle; less so in the female, and the wings of the latter are from one to two inches longer than those of the female. This difference is constant.

Col. SYKES stated that his description was written from eight specimens lying before him, and that he had transmitted three similar to the India House. Some of Col. SYKES's sporting friends in India having expressed a belief that the Otis fulva was the female of the black Floriken of the Dukhun, (a comparatively rare bird, the Otis fulva being common,) he was induced to pay particular attention to the organs of sex, and never found the testes and ova otherwise than fully developed. If therefore it be referrible as an immature bird to a known species, (Otis Bengalensis, Otis aurita, or Otis Indica,) it appears in the Dukhun in hundreds, with all the indications of puberty, at a time when the supposed parents are rarely, if at all, to be met with. Col. SYKES's birds are identical with a specimen laid before the Society by Major FRANKLIN on the 9th of August, 1831, under the name of Otis Indica; Major FRANKLIN, at the same time, expressing doubts of it being the white-chinned Bustard of Dr. LATHAM. The description of the Otis Indica has only two features common to the Otis fulva," chin white," and "under parts dusky yellowish cream colour;" as they differ in all other particulars, the birds cannot be identical; and a reference to a figure of the Otis Indica, which is only to be met with in J. H. MILLER, confirms the impression. Col. SYKES believes with Major FRANKLIN that the present species has been usually mistaken for the female of Otis aurita.-A correspondent in the Magazine of Natural History, No. 16, for November, 1830, under the signature of "A Subscriber," page 517, confirms Col. SYKES'S opinion, stating that the Churj or ochreous Floriken (small Bustard of India) is not the Otis Indica (white-chinned Bustard), nor the Otis Bengalensis, nor the black Floriken (Otis aurita) or Leek of Hindostan. Col. SYKES stated the food of the Otis nigriceps and the Otis fulva to be almost exclusively grasshoppers; and he pointed out the absence of a gizzard (the stomach being simple), combined with the remarkable shortness of the intestinal canal, scarcely exceeding the length of the body, as distinguishing these birds from all others that had come under his observation.

ORDER IV. GRALLATORES, IN.

Fam. Gruida, Vigors.-Genus Grus, Pallas. Crane.

168. Grus Antigone, Steph., 11. 531. Grus orientalis Indica, Briss., Orn. 5. 378. 7. Kullum of the Mahrattas.

Appear in flocks of hundreds in Dukhun during the cold season.

Fam. Ardeida, Leach.-Genus Ardea, Auct.

Section A. Tarsi long.

169. Ardea Egretta, Gmel., 1. 629. Ardea Torra, Buch. Franklin, Zool. Proceedings. La Grand Egrette, Buff., Ois. 7. 377. Pl. Enl. 925. Large white Heron with yellow bill.

Length, inclusive of tail, 35 to 36 inches: tail 5.8 inches. Length of the European bird 42 inches. Irides bright yellow. Solitary.

170. Ardea Garzetta, Linn., 1. 937. L'Aigrette, Buff., Ois. 7. 372. Pl. Enl. 901. Little Egret Heron.

Length, inclusive of tail, 24 to 25 inches: tail 4 inches. Length of the European bird 24 inches. Irides light yellow.

Gregarious. Toes, as in the European bird, yellowish green or apple green, exhibiting a curious contrast to the greenish black of the legs.

171. ARDEA ASHA. Ard. suprà ardosiacea, dorso brunnescente; mento, gulá lineá longitudinali jugulari, corpore subtùs, tegminibusque caudæ inferioribus albissimis; tegminibus alarum tertiariis albo angustè marginatis.

Irides dilutè flavæ. Rostrum corneum. Tarsi virescenti nigri. Longitudo corporis 20 unc., caudæ 34.

Slate-coloured Heron.

A very rare bird in Dukhun.

Has a good deal the aspect of Ard. Nova Hollandia,

and several points of resemblance to Ard. gularis, Ard. jugularis, and the young of Ard. cærulea; but differs from all.

172. Ardea cinerea, Lath., Ind. Orn. 2. 691. 54. Le Heron huppé, Buff., Ois. 7. 342. Pl. Enl. 787.

Irides bright-light yellow. Length, inclusive of tail, 38 inches: tail 6 inches.

Identical with European specimens.

Solitary.

173. Ardea nigrirostris, Gray, Zool. Misc. 20. Fig. Ind. Zool. Part 12th. Large white Heron with black bill.

Differing only in having a black bill from Ard. Egretta; otherwise identical in size, form, colour, and internal organization; nevertheless, as Col. SYKES has adult birds preserving the black bill, he considers Mr. GRAY's specific distinction valid. Irides bright yellow.

Section B. Tarsi short.

174. Ardea Malaccensis, Gmel., 1. 643. Crabier blanc et brun de Malacca, Buff., Ois. 7. 394. Pl. Enl. 911. Buglah of the Mahrattas.

Irides light bright yellow. Length, inclusive of tail, 19 inches: tail 3 to 3 inches. One male bird measured 21 inches. White capillary worms found on the mesentery.

175. Ardea Caboga, Penn., Hindoos. 2. 158. Gibraltar Heron, Lath., var. A. Small pure white Heron. Batty bird of Europeans in Dukhun.

Attend oxen while grazing, and pick insects from them. Gregarious. Length, inclusive of tail, 19 to 21 inches: tail 34 inches. Irides bright yellow. A shade of yellow ochre on the forehead in some individuals.

176. ARDEA GRAYII. Ard. alba; dorso atro-rubente; capite, collo, pectore, scapu laribusque sordidè flavescenti-albidis; occipitis plumis 3—5 longis, linearibus, albissimis.

Irides nitidè flavæ. Rostrum ad apicem nigrum, ad basin flavescens. Tarsi fuscescenti-carnei. Longitudo (caudâ inclusâ) 18—19 unc., caudæ 3. Marone-backed Heron.

The deep chestnut or marone feathers of the back are decomposed, and extend nearly to the end of the tail. The immature bird bears a very close resemblance to the Ard. Malaccensis.

177. Ardea Javanica, Horsf., Linn. Trans. 13. 190. Indian green Heron of Dr. LATHAM, No. 4.

Col. SYKES'S specimens are identical with those from Java, and on comparing them with the descriptions of Ard. virescens, Ill., and the plate of BUFFON, (Pl. Eni. 908, Crabier de Cayenne,) they differ in wanting the red stripes down the throat and neck, and in the tail being dark metallic green instead of black, and in smaller size. Dr. HORSFIELD's trivial name is therefore valid. Irides bright light yellow, surrounded by a very narrow red ring. Length, inclusive of tail, 16 inches: tail 24. Sexes alike in size and plumage. Solitary on the woody banks of small streams.

178.

Ardea cinnamomea, Gmel., 1. 643. Entire chestnut Heron. Identical with

specimens in the British Museum and India House. Length, inclusive of tail, 15 inches: tail 24 inches. Irides bright yellow.

Rare in Dukhun. Mostly solitary; never gregarious. Remarkably wary.
Genus Botaurus, Briss. Bittern.

179. Botaurus stellaris, Briss., Orn. 5. 444. Ardea stellaris, Linn., 1. 239. 21. Le
Butor, Buff., Ois. 7. 411. Pl. Enl. 789. Common Bittern.
Identical with the European bird.

Rare in Dukhun.

Genus Nycticorax, Steph.

180. Nycticorax Europæus, Steph., 11. 609. Ardea Nycticorax, Linn., 1. 235.9. Le Bihoreau, Buff., Ois. 7. 435. Pl. Enl. 758. Night Heron.

Irides broad, crimson. Length, inclusive of tail, 24 inches: tail 4.2 inches. Length of the European bird about 22 inches. Irides and legs of the same colour as those of the Asiatic bird.

Genus Phoenicopterus, Linn. Flamingo.

181. Phoenicopterus ruber, Linn., 1. 230. Le Flammant, Buff. Ois. 8. 475. Pl. Enl. 63. Red Flamingo. Rajah Huns of the Hindoos.

Irides light yellow. Length, inclusive of tail, 43 inches: tail 6 inches.

In the duodenum of a female were found two thick, remarkably white worms composed of annuli; one 7 inches long, the other 44 inches; and filling up the intestinal canal, so that liquid food only could have passed; nevertheless the bird appeared quite healthy.

Genus Platalea, Linn. Spoonbill.

182. Platalea leucorodia, Linn., 1. 231. 1. La Spatule, Buff., Ois. 7. 448. Pl. Enl. 405. Crested white Spoonbill.

Irides crimson. Length, inclusive of tail, 35 inches: tail 5 inches.

Although a little larger in size, it is otherwise absolutely identical with the European bird, even to the colour of the irides and legs.

183. Platalea junior. The feathers with black shafts.

Mr. STEPHENS describes these birds as rarely occurring inland. Col. S.'s specimens were obtained 100 miles from the sea, and at an elevation of 2000 feet.

Genus Ciconia, Ray. Stork.

184. Ciconia leucocephala. Ardea leucocephala, Gmel., 1. 642. Lath., Ind. Orn. 2.699. 78. Le Heron Violet, Buff., Ois. 7. 370. Heron de la côte de Coromandel, Buff., Pl. Enl. 906. Violet Heron. Kandehsur or Kowruw of the Mahrattas.

It is singular that this well-marked bird should have been classed as a Heron for a long period, and remain as such at the present moment in Shaw. Length, inclusive of tail, 33 to 34 inches: tail 8 inches.

Mostly seen on open stony plains, or in ploughed fields. Food chiefly grasshoppers. Monogamous. Irides scarlet, margined with a narrow circle of black and an exterior circle of yellowish.

185.

Ciconia Argala, Steph., vol. 11. p. 622. Ardea dubia, Gmel., 1. 624. Ardea
Argala, Lath.

Is met with in Dukhun; but Col. SYKES has not a specimen. Called the Adjutant by Europeans, from its stiff soldier-like strut.

Genus Anastomus, Ill. Courly.

186. Anastomus Typus, Temm. An. Coromandelianus, Steph., 11. 632. Ardea Coromandelica (l'adulte) et Ponticeriana (le jeune), Temm. Le bec ouvert des Indes, Sonn. Voy. 2. pl. in p. 219. Buff., Ois. 7. 409. Pl. Enl. 932. Cinereous Muscle-catcher.

Irides bright yellow. Length, inclusive of tail, 32 to 33 inches: tail 6 to 6 inches.

BUFFON'S figure is excellent. Lives on the animals of a new and large species of Unio. The stomach of this bird is not less remarkable than its bill: the last exhibiting a beautiful adaptation of means to their end; the form of the mandibles enabling the bird to hold and open the bivalve shell of the Unio. Solitary. The proportional length of the intestinal canal exceeds that of any other bird in the order Grallatores, in one specimen being five times the length of the body, neck and bill inclusive.

Genus Tantalus, Linn.

187. Tantalus leucocephalus, Lath., Ind. Orn. 2. 706. Le Tantale de Ceylon, Cuv., Règne Anim. 1. 481. White-headed Ibis.

Irides yellow. Length, inclusive of tail, 40 to 43 inches: tail 6 inches.

A large diaphanous spot on each side of the base of the upper mandible before the eyes does not appear to have been noticed in the description of the bird. The generic characters, if this bird be made the type, require modification. The stomachs of three birds were distended with fibrous vegetable matters in a commi

188.

nuted state. A fourth had the same vegetable matters and the half of a carp nine inches long.

Ibis.

Sacred Ibis.

Genus Ibis, La Cép.
Ibis religiosa, Cuv., Règne Anim. 1. 483.
L'Ibis sacre, Cuv.,
Recherches sur les Ossemens Fossiles, 1. 161. Tantalus Æthiopicus. Ibis
Macei, Cuv., Ann. Mus. 11. 125. White Ibis with purple black secondary quill
decomposed feathers, Ind. Orn. 2. 706.

Col SYKES carefully compared the descriptions and measurements of the larger
Mummy Ibis of CUVIER; and is induced to believe the present bird is the same.
Col. SYKES puts into juxta-position the measurements of CUVIER'S Mummy Ibis
from Thebes and one of his own birds :

The individual of which the measurements are given has the two first quills tipped with violet, their shafts of the same colour, and four of the secondary quills are also violet, and with their webs decomposed, according with CUVIER's description. The violet colour is not so deep as in the Ethiopian Ibis; but as in all Col. SYKES's specimens (nine in number) the violet feathers are in progress of development, the colour would no doubt subsequently be darker. CUVIER mentions that the Mummy Ibis varied a little in size. Col. S. has birds larger and smal!er than that of which the measurements are given.

Appear in Dukhun in the cold weather only. Gregarious.

Irides narrow, lake colour. Food water-crickets, crabs, beetles, shrimps. Length, inclusive of tail, 30 to 35 inches: tail 5.3 to 5.7. Bill and head to occiput 7.8 to 9.6 inches. Bill to the gape 6.4 to 7.8 inches.

189. Ibis ignea. Tantalus igneus, Lath., Ind. Orn., 2. 708. 12. Ibis falcinellus. Temm., Man. d'Orn., 2nd Edit. 2. 569.

Col. SYKES's birds, male and female, are identical with two European specimens, in the British Museum labelled Ibis ignea, and viewed as the immature birds of Ibis falcinellus. Col. SYKES however has seen so many of both in India, appearing in different flocks at the same period of the year, and not having, as M. TEMMINCK describes the birds before they are three years old, "partie inferieure du cou, poitrine, ventre, et cuisses d'un noir cendré; haut du dos et scapulaires d'un cendré brun," but of a rich fuscous brown, with brilliant metallic reflections; differing also in the proportions of the internal organization; and Dr. LATHAM moreover describes even the youngest birds of Ibis falcinellus as characterised by reddish brown. HERODOTUS speaks of the smaller Ibis as entirely black, a description inapplicable to the Ibis falcinellus, but applicable to the present species, which at a short distance appears entirely black. Col. SYKES is therefore induced to adopt the opinion of those writers who considered the bird distinct from Ibis falcinellus. Its measurements correspond with those of the smaller species of Mummy Ibis given by CUVIER; and it agrees in plumage (intense blackish brown with metallic reflections, without any mention of chestnut or marone, the livery of the Ibis ignea), with the descriptions of the ancients; it is therefore very probable, as M. TEMMINCK suggests, that it is the sacred species worshipped and embalmed by the Egyptians.

Length (male), inclusive of tail, 25 inches: tail 44 inches. tail 4 inches.

Female 23 inches :

Black beetles, larve of water insects, and numerous univalve shells found in the stomachs of these birds.

190. Ibis papillosa, Temm., Pl. Col. 304. Black screaming Ibis. Indian variety of Bald Ibis, Lath., 9. 156.

Soar high in the air in circles, uttering melancholy screams. Monogamous. Found in the stomach of several birds aquatic insects, multitudes of black beetles, Jowaree seeds, Gryllotalpæ, and vegetable matters. Col. SYKES's birds are much less brilliant in plumage than the specimen described and figured by M. TEMMINCK.

Irides pale red. Length, inclusive of tail, 25 to 28 inches: tail 7 inches.

191.

Ibis falcinellus, Temm., Man. d'Orn. 2nd Edit. 2. 599. Tantalus falcinellus, Linn., 1. 241. Gmel., 1. 648. Le Courlis verd, Buff., Ois. 8. 29. Courly d'Italie, Buff., Pl. Enl. 819. Marone Ibis.

Sexes do not differ in plumage; but the female is somewhat smaller than the male.

Length, inclusive of tail, 26 to 26 inches: tail 4 inches. Multitudes of black beetles and grasshoppers, and univalve freshwater shells, found in the stomach. An immature bird in possession of the Zoological Society, unlike the supposed immature bird (Ibis ignea), is characterized by the marone livery of the Ibis falcinellus.

Fam. Scolopacida, Vigors.-Genus Totanus, Bechst. Sandpiper. 192. Totanus ochropus, Temm., Man. d'Orn. 420. Tringa ochropus, Linn., 1. 250. Green Sandpiper.

Absolutely identical in plumage with a specimen from Hudson's Bay in the British Museum, and with English specimens.

Irides fuscous brown. Length, inclusive of tail, 94 to 10 inches: tail 24 inches. For the most part solitary. The stomach approximates to a gizzard. Sexes alike. Cry, Cheet, Cheet, Cheet.

193. Totanus Glareola, Temm., Man. d'Orn. 2nd Edit. 2. 654. Tringa Glareola, Linn., 1. 250. Wood Sandpiper.

Differs from one specimen of Tringa Glareola in the British Museum in a defined white line over the eyes to the bill, more white on the throat and less brown speckled on the breast, and slightly longer bill; but is identical in plumage with another specimen.

Irides fuscous brown. Length, inclusive of tail, 9 to 94 inches: tail 2.2 inches. Sexes alike. In April as delicate eating as the common Snipe. Cry, Chit, Chit, Chit; but the alarm cry is like the grating of a rusty hinge.

194.

Totanus hypoleucos, Temm., Man. d'Orn. 424. Tringa hypoleucos, Linn., 1. 250. Common Sandpiper. Tringa Guinetta, Brit. Mus. La petit Alouette de Mer, Buff., Pl. Enl. 850.

Irides fuscous brown. Length, inclusive of tail, 8 to 9 inches: tail 2.4 inches. Cry, a sharp whistle like Wheet, Wheet, Wheet. Jerk the tail in a curious manner. Sexes alike. Generally solitary.

195.

Genus Limosa, Briss. Godwit.

Limosa Glottoides. Totanus Glottoides, Gould's Century of Himalayan Birds. Col. SYKES agrees with Mr. GOULD in the propriety of separating this bird from the Totanus Glottis (Scolopax Glottis), or Green-shanks of Europe. Irides fuscous red brown. Length, inclusive of tail, 14 to 14 inches: tail 3 inches.

Sexes do not differ in plumage or size. Cry in flight, a sharp, shrill Queek, Queek. Very wary birds. Commonly seen alone; rarely three or four together. Minute fish, larve of water insects, and univalve shells found in the stomach. 196. LIMOSA HORSFIELDII. Lim. suprà brunnea, plumarum rhachibus lineisque transversis angulatis nigris; mento, corpore infrà, uropygio, dorsi dimidio, cauda, marginibusque plumarum superiorum albis; remigibus fuscis rhachibus albis; cauda lineis plurimis angulatis angustis nigris notatá.

Irides intense (rufo-brunneæ. Rostrum pedesque (hi gracillimi) nigri. Longitudo corporis 8-8 unc., caudæ 2.

This is a miniature likeness of the preceding, but quite distinct, although similar in habits, manners, flight, and cry; but with a permanent difference in size and some markings. It is comparatively a rare bird. Col. SYKES had at first considered it a young bird of Tot. Glottoides, until an observation of some years convinced him of his mistake. So wary as to be rarely within reach of the gun. Female with the spots and markings fainter than in the male. Bill 1.9 inch long.

Genus Gallinago, Ray. Snipe.

179. Gallinago media, Ray. Scolopax Gallinago, Linn., 1. 244. Becassine, Buff. Ois. 7. 483. Pl. Enl. 883.

Appears only from November until March in Dukhun. Same as the European bird, with trifling exceptions, resulting probably from age. Irides intense brown. Size of common Snipe. Found in the stomach, vegetable matter, minute univalve shells, earth-worms, larvæ of water insects, and fine gravel. Sexes alike.

198. Gallinago minima, Ray, Syn. 105. A. Scolopax Gallinula, Linn., 1. 244. 8. Becassine sourde, Temm., Man. d'Orn. 440. Jack Snipe.

Appears and disappears with the preceding species. Identical with the European bird and precisely similar in its habits. Irides intense brown. Length, inclusive of tail, 8.2 inches: tail 2.3 inches. Food the same as that of the common Snipe. Sexes alike.

Genus Rhynchæa, Cuv.

199. Rhynchæa picta, Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. Rhynch. Capensis, Steph., 12. 65. Scolopax Capensis, Linn., 1. 246.