THE BIRDS OF NORTH CACHAR. 495 



and neck were white. The brown margins to the feathers of the upper 

 part made the pkimage appear to be a brown-grey. 



The wing measured full 20". The lengthened inner secondaries were 

 not very long or drooping and the bird conveyed the impression that it 

 was a young one. The skin has not been kept. I was three days from 

 head-quarters, but I thought special messengers would get it in in 

 time to skin, but alas when I arrived three days later I foimd it had not 

 been brought in, and the messenger, when questioned, said, " Oh, it 

 began to smell, so I threw it away." I do not think, however, that 

 there was, or is, any doubt whatsoever as to the identification being cor- 

 rect, and G. monarclms must be added to our Indian avifauna. Humes' 

 surmise as to the identity of the birds he saw ( " Stray Feathers," XI) 

 was very likely correct. The most striking thing about those I saw 

 was the white head and brown-toned upper parts. 



Sub-Order — Otides. 

 Family Otitidce. 

 (575) Sypheotis bengalensis. — The Florican. 

 Hume, J^o. 858 ; Blanford, No, U17. 

 Only occurs as a straggler. I flushed a hen once about five miles 

 from Silohar and have seen two or three on the borders of the Naogaon 

 District in the mustard fields bordering the KhopiU. 

 Order XV— LIMICOL^. 

 Family CEdicnemidcB. 

 (576) CEdicnemus scolopax. — The Stone-Curlew. 

 Hume, No. 859 ; Blanford, No. 1418. 

 A very rare bird I believe in Cachar, but rather less so in the nest 

 district, Sylhet. 



(577) EsAcus RECUR viROSTRis. — The Great Stone -Plover. 



Hume, No. 858 ; Blanjm^d, No. 1419. 

 Kecorded from the plains of Cachar. I have never met with it. 

 Family GlareoUdce. 

 Sub-Family Cur.soriince. 



(578) CuRSORirjs coromandelicus. — The Indian Courser. 



Hume, No. 840 ; Blanford, No. 1422. 

 I saw half-a-dozen of these coursers once when shooting on the 

 Chutia bheel, about six miles from the station of Silchar. 



