MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 155 



after flowing a tortuous course through open cleared ground joins the Runga- 

 nuddie. I had some slight doubt as to my first observations being correct owing 

 to a drizzling rain and bad light at the time ; but I had ample opportunities 

 of noting its black head, white collar and dark blue colouring of the back com- 

 pared with H. smyrnetisis before the day closed. Whilst not very wary yet it 

 gave one the impreasion that I was fresh to its surroundings and this dispelled 

 any hopes I had that the bird was breeding in the vicinity, although some clumps 

 of bamboos overlooking stagnant water afforded it a safe retreat, from the open 

 steep clay banks of the jan where H. smyrnensis had located itself. As it 

 has not made its appearance since that date, I am inclined to think it was 

 performing a local migratory movement, possibly from a higher altitude during 

 a period of very wet weather. 



H. STEVENS. 

 North Lakhimpur, Upper Assam, May 1904. 



No. III.— THE YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER 

 (CHELIDORHYNX HYPOXANTHUM.) 



The distribution of Chelidorhynx hypoxanthum in all probability extends 

 across the plains in the Dibrugarh district during the cold season, as at that time 

 it is fairly plentiful here. Contrary to Blanford's observations as to this species 

 occurring in small flocks, on the dozen or so opportunities afforded me of observ- 

 ing this flycatcher, although once I noted three within a distance of 100 yards, 

 each bird was acting independently and on the other occasions singles have 

 invariably been the order. In habits it is truly Rhipidurean in the manner of 

 darting out in quest of food and returning to the same perch; favourite localities 

 frequented are forest-lined streams, brushwood and fallen trees in forest 

 clearings and it very often haunts these quarters in company with Culicicajja 

 ceylonensis. Measurements of specimens in the flesh. Length 4", bill from 

 gape "3 which differ from Oates somewhat, 4*7 and '4 respectively. 



H. STEVENS. 

 Rungagora, Upper Assam, January 1904. 



No. IV.— THE OCCURRENCE OF THE RED-BREASTED GOOSE 

 {BE ANT A RUFICOLLIS) IN INDIA. 



In early April of this year I was asked by Mr. M, S. Mondy whether there 

 were any geese found in India with red necks, and on my replying "no " he 

 said that he had seen four such on the banks of the Brahmapootra in company 

 with a large flock of the Common Grey Goose. He then gave me a minute 

 description of these geese, from which I had not the slightest hesitation in 

 identifying them as Branta ruficollis, the Red-Breasted Goose. 



Mr. Mondy had no idea what he was describing and had seen no such geese 

 before. These four had, however, differed so conspicuously from the others 

 that he took a very careful note of their appearance although, unfortunately 

 he was unable to obtain a specimen. 



