718 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



Taylor in his 'Topography of Dacca', states that the voice of this 

 bird, before engaging in combat, is peculiar ; the throat sw^ls out 

 and emits a deep hollow sound which is continued for several 

 seconds, and is suddenly followed by a shrill, vibratory cry like 

 that of the Trumpeter birds, [Psophia) of South America. 

 Like many of the Rails it is partially nocturnal in its habits. 

 The male birds are said to fight furiously, and are much prized by 

 the natives, who keep them for that purpose, especially in Dacca, 

 Sylhet, &c. where they sell for a high price. It is excellent eating, 

 and according to a writer in the Indian Sportiyig Bevieiv, " the 

 flesh, feather, and courage of the Khorah are all game." 



Gen. Gallinula, Brisson. 



Syn. Stagnicola, Brehm. 



Char. — Bill moderate, compressed, rather thick at the base, 

 slightly curved at the tip, expanding into a small shield on the 

 forehead ; nostrils longitudinal, in a groove in the middle of the 

 bill ; wings moderate, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quills sub-equal, with a 

 small, sharp tubercle or spur ; tail short ; tarsus moderately long ; 

 the toes rather long, narrow, edged by a very narrow membrane. 



Water-hens are found all over the world. The females are 

 larger than the males. 



905. Gallinula chloropus, LiNNiEus. 



FuHca, apud Linnaeus — Blyth, Cat. 1675 — G. akool, apud 

 Jeudox, Cat. 332 — G. parvifrons, Blytfi — Godha7i, H. in Behar 

 — Jumhu kodi, or BoH-kodi, Tel. — Jal-murghi, H., popularly — 

 DaJcak paira, Beng. 



The Water-hen. 



Descr. — Head dusky grey; the upper plumage deep olive; the 

 wing dusky ; edge of the wing white ; throat, neck, and breast 

 dusky grey, the rest of the under parts deep bluisli-grey ; the 

 feathers edged with whitish, and the flanks with large streaks 

 of white ; under tail-coverts pure white, with a few black feathers 

 intermixed. 



Bill red at the base, yellow at the tip ; irides red ; legs and 

 feet pale olive green, with an orange garter above the knee. 



