THE BIRDS OF TRAVANCORE. 7 



obtained twelve miles .south of Quilon. Among them was a young 

 bird in quite immature plumage, so that I believe they must breed here. 

 I have not found this bird in any other locality, and do not think it is 

 likely to be seen further north. 



Sub-family Glareolince. 

 (265) Glareola laciea. — The Small Indian Pratincole or Swallow- 

 Plover. 

 Stanford, No. 1427 ; Jerdon, No. 843. 

 I have only received this bird from North Travancore, where flocks, 

 consisting of a dozen or more individuals, were met with by my 

 collectors at Velyani, near Alwaye, frequenting open flats on either 

 side of the Alwaye river up to Malayaltur. Their food was mostly 

 beetles and mosquitoes. They were found hunting for insects well after 

 sunset. 



(266) Metopidius indicus. — The Bronze-winged Jacana. 



Blanford, No. 1428 ; Jerdon, No. 900. 

 This bird may be met with throughout the country in suitable loca- 

 lities, that is, where there are lakes or tanks well covered with weeds and 

 water-lilies. 



(267) Hydrophasianus CHIRUBGUS.— The Pheasant-tailed 



Jacana. 



Blanford, No. 1429 ; Jerdon, No. 901. 



Flocks of these very handsome Jacanas are common in the tanks in 



South Travancore, especially about Nagercoil, where they may be seen 



running over the woed-covered water, keeping, however, well away from 



Family CHARADRIIM. 



Sub-family Charadriince. 

 (268) Sarcogrammus indicus. — The Red-wattled Lapwing. 

 Blanford, No. 1431 ; Jerdon, No. 855. 

 Common in the low country all over Travancore, going about in twos 

 and threes or in small flocks, and generally found in the neighbourhood of 

 water. It breeds in March. 



(269) Sarciophorus malabaricus.— -The Yellow-wattled Lapwing. 

 Blanford, No. 1433 ; Jerdon, No. 856. 



Common like the last, but frequents open ground away from water. 

 Its plaintive cry may be heard long after dark has set in. 



