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



two of these birds ; and since they do not leave the premises, they 

 receive fish at a cost of about 2s. 6d. per week. I may as well 

 note that the Siamese eat Pelicans. I have tasted the meat, 

 but found it coarse and fishy. 



40. Hydrophasianus sinensis. (Noch ih-kong.) 



This splendid bird, with its toes so curiously formed, is found 

 on the estuaries and lakes near the coast. The brilliant blue 

 of the mantle (something like that of the Kingfishers), its 

 long toes, and the curious appendage at the base of the beak of 

 a reddish colour render it a remarkable bird. They are some- 

 times domesticated and walk about amongst the fowls, forsaking 

 their natural food of shrimps and water-insects, partaking with 

 the fowls their food of paddy, or rice in grain. Two were 

 brought to me about two years ago ; they were caged, and fed 

 on paddy. They seemed so wild that I did not venture to let 

 them walk about the premises. One died recently; the other 

 is still alive and apparently quite well, but as scared on my 

 approaching its cage as ever. They do not seem to be so much 

 alarmed on a native coming near them. 



It is difficult to give an idea of the large number of Wading 

 birds we met on ascending the Menam. The following are 

 extracts from my note-book : — 



" December SOth, 1859. — As the evening approached, the 

 horizon was almost darkened by the flocks of Cranes, Egrets, 

 and Storks which came flying down the river, hastening towards 

 their roosting-place. What admirable-order they kept ! Though 

 there were thousands and thousands, there never was confusion 

 in their progress. The first column extended across the river 

 and beyond it (the river was here about 800 yards wide), others 

 followed in parallel lines of larger or smaller extent; and from 

 the centre, where we will suppose the commander-in-chief was 

 situated, his aides-de-camp went to the right and to the left of 

 the line, carrying his messages, and preserving order. 



" December 31s/. — A sand-bank which we passed this morn- 

 ing was literally covered with Waders. Mr. Clarke fired at them, 

 which brought them speedily on the wing. They alighted on 

 some trees a short distance off : the white plumage of the birds 

 and their prodigious number made these trees appear as if they 



