165 



The only spot of white on the bird is at the chin. Wings and 

 tail short. This bird appears quite distinct from any described 

 species of Rallus or Gallinula. The nearest approach to it is 

 the Rail, niger ofGraelin from the Cape of Good Hope. Sexes 

 alike. Frequents sedgy and marshy places amidst low bushes. 

 Shuns observation. 



Genus Porphyrio K Briss. 



20f. Porphyrio smaragnotus, Temm., Man. d'Orn 2nd Edit. 2. 700. 



Fulica Porphyrio, Linn., 1. 258. Le Taleve de Madagascar, 



Buff., PI. Enl. 810. 

 These very beautiful birds are found on most of the very large 

 tanks or ponds, the surface of which is a good deal covered 

 with the broad leaves of the Lotus, on which the birds walk. 

 Vegetable matters only found in the stomach of several birds, 

 particularly parts of the green capsules of Trapa bispinosa. 

 Sexes alike. Irides blood red. Length, inclusive of tail, 18 

 inches : tail 3^ inches. Stomach a true gizzard. 



Genus Fulica, Auct. Coot. 



205. Fulica atra, Linn., 1.257. Le Foulque, Buff., Ois. 8. 211. PI. 



Enl. 197. 

 Differs only from Javanese specimens in being larger, and a shade 

 lighter below. Much larger than the common Coot of Europe, 

 but with the same coloured irides (crimson), and does not 

 otherwise differ. Length, inclusive of tail, 18 to 19 inches : 

 tail 2 inches. It has the habits of Podiceps, and with the giz- 

 zard, long cceca, and general internal organization of a Duck, 

 seems to belong to the order Natatores. Water weeds and coarse 

 sand found in the stomach. 



Fam. CharadriadcCy Leach. — Genus Cursorius, Lath. Courser. 



206. Cursorius Asiaticus, Lath., Ind. Orn. 2. 751. 2. Cour-vite de 



Coromandel, Buff., Ois. 8. 129. PI. Enl. 892. 

 Irides dark brown. Length, inclusive of tail, 10 inches: tail 2^ 

 inches. Sexes alike. Numerous in Dukhun ; but only on the 

 open stony and grass plains. This bird has the shortness of 

 intestine of the Bustard (equal to the length of the body), with 

 a stomach nearly similar; feeding in the same manner on in- 

 sects and their larvce and with the same cursorial habits, and 

 should therefore be placed near the Struthionidce, after Otis and 

 Tetrao. 



Genus Vanellus, Briss. Laptoing. 



207. Vanellus Goensis, Steph., 11.514. Tringa Goensis, Lath., Ind. 



Orn. 2. 727. 7. Parra Goensis, Gmel., 1. 706. Vanneau 

 armi de Goa, Buff., PI. Enl. 807. 

 Irides fuscous crimson. Length, inclusive of tail, 14 inches: tail 

 5 inches. Affect open plains and beds of rivers. Gregarious. 

 Water insects, shells, and corn found in the stomach. A watch- 

 ful and noisy bird at night ; uttering cries of Did he doo it, 

 Did he doo it. Sexes alike. 

 [No. XXIII.] 



