Sir R. H. Schomburgk on the Birds of Siam. 261 



the male. I placed her in the same cage with him ; but he com- 

 menced to peck her, and she had to be removed. When both 

 were stalking about in the verandah, they remained at a re- 

 spectful distance from each other. I believe our Pheasant asso- 

 ciates only with the female at certain periods. I contemplated 

 taking the Kai-pha and one of the females with me to Europe 

 on my return, but the first suddenly showed on one occasion 

 that he was ill, and although allowed to walk about in the 

 garden to search for himself the food he considered best, died 

 nevertheless. The two females are, to all appearance, still in 

 good health. Amongst the collection of live animals and birds 

 which the King of Siam presented to the Emperor of the French, 

 I was told there were some specimens of this bird, male and fe- 

 male ; but I have not learned whether they have safely arrived. 



28. Tringoides hypoleucos. (Nock bathorn.) 



This is a representative of the Snipe tribe {Scolopacidce). I 

 believe it is a Tringa. Though the plumage is principally of a 

 sombre grey, its being crossed by bands of white, and the ele- 

 gant form of the bird, give it a pretty appearance. The hinder 

 toe is very small. Wherever our guns, while travelling be- 

 tween Rohaing and Xiengmai, could bring down one of these 

 birds, powder and shot were not spared; they were so excellent 

 in taste. They generally announced their presence by a peculiar 

 cry, which served likewise as a notice to all other birds in the 

 neighbourhood of approaching danger. 



29. PoRZANA PH(ENicuRA. (Nock ihkoh.) 



This Water-hen is not very common. They are very shy; 

 and it was but seldom we could procure them as an addition to 

 our commissariat. 



30. Edglius paradiseus. (Nock sang-saeoh.) 



The Nock sang-saeoh appears only periodically in Bangkok. 

 Its peculiar tail, ending in two shafts, with lanceolate-shaped 

 tips at the end (these shafts as long as the body of the bird), 

 give it a curious appearance. I have never heard the bird sing- 

 ing ; its only sound may be likened to the mewing of a cat. I 

 am not aware that the Drongo Shrikes, or Indian Butcher-birds, 

 are famed for song. I am almost led to believe that at ccr- 



