166 M. Sundevall on the Birds of Calcutta. 



This species lived in tlie same manner as the foregoing, and 

 on the same vegetables, but was more rare. It more often utters 

 its restless cry, and during flight keeps its wings more still. It 

 is remarkable for the appendage to the points of the wings, and 

 has a strong, sharp point on the bend of each wing. This last 

 character occurs in many waders of the torrid zone, e. g. many 

 species of ParrUy Vanellus, Charadrius, PalamedeUj &c. 



84. Gallinula phaenicura, Lath. — Rallus ph., Gm. Gall, erythrina, 

 Bechst., Lath. 



Nigricans crisso ferrugineo. (Affinis G. chloropodi.) 

 ^ (junior ? d. 14 Dec. e Ceylon ; nee a me in Bengalia inventa). 

 Cinereo- nigricans, olivaceo tincta. Gula et vitta longitudinalis e 

 rostro ad abdomen alba, sed corporis collique latera colare dorsi. 

 Abdomen et plumse tibiae rufo-testacea. Crissum ferrugineum. 

 Cauda mollis, rotundata, fusco-nigra. Alee fusco-nigrse, remige P 

 margine externo albo. Rostrum et pedes flavi. Lamina frontalis 

 minima sen vix uUa : tantum e culmine rostri, basi pauUo dilatato ; 

 postice rotundata; colore rostri. Longit. (coUo extenso) 13 poll. 

 Ala 165 millim., cauda 70, rostrum cumlaminula frontis 37, digitus 

 medius 53, cum ungue 64 ; tarsus 53, os tibiae 83, extensio alarum 

 20 poll. 



Structura. Corpus valde compressum, angustius quam G. chloro- 

 podis, collo longiore in formam S inflexo. Rostrum ut G. chlorop. 

 Lingua cartilagineo-carnosa, crassa, apice membranaceo-lacera. Ala 

 inermis, rotundata. Pedes toti scutati, ut in G. chloropode constructi. 

 Bed ratione corporis majores. Ventriculus valde musculosus. Intes- 

 tinum longit. 20 poll, pariete crassa, cavitate tenuissima. Intestina 

 caeca 2, longit. 1 poll. ; ab ano 2 pollices distantia. 



This water-hen was caught on board ship about twenty [Swe- 

 dish] miles west of Ceylon, in 5° 50' N. It had consequently 

 flown a longer way than I could have expected one of these 

 heavy-flying birds to do when it was not the season for migra- 

 tion, at which time a remarkable and peculiar vigour is excited 

 in birds. I did not see it in Bengal, but will not assert that it is 

 not found there. In the stomach were many pebbles, and re- 

 mains of plants which resembled those mentioned under the spe- 

 cies of Parra. It flew with a rapid motion of the wings almost 

 like a partridge, and with the feet stretched backwards. The 

 readiness with which it went upon deck, and especially on the 

 cordage, sometimes even on the rigging, w^as remarkable. It 

 grasped the ropes with wonderful security by means of its long 

 curved toes, and seemed to be accustomed to climb among reeds 

 and branches in the marshes of Ceylon. 



85. Fulica atra. Only one specimen of the Coot was seen; 

 I shot it on March 34, in the small lake near Sucsagor which I 

 have often mentioned, as it was swimming among the roseate 



