THE IBIS. 



No. XI. JULY 1861. 



XXIII. — Notes on Birds observed in Oudh and Kumaon. 

 By Captain L. Howard Irby, 90th Regt. 



(Plate VII.) 



The following notes were made in Oudh, from October 1857 

 to August 1860, with the exception of about two months, from 

 April 15th to June 15th, 1859, during which time I was in the 

 British Himalayan province of Kumaon. During the first part 

 of the time, in Oudh, the disadvantage of being in an enemy's 

 country (for a long time without any kit) prevented my making 

 notes; and many specimens which I obtained and skinned were 

 lost or destroyed, either by insects or through being continually 

 on the march. 



The province of Oudh is well situated for an ornithologist, 

 containing every variety of soil ; and bordering on the Nepalese 

 hills is the " Terai " forest — a part very little explored, except 

 by tiger-shooting sportsmen. The intense heat in the hot and 

 rainy season confines a European to his bungalow, except for a 

 couple of hours in the morning and evening ; and even in the 

 " cold season," from October to March inclusive, it is unplea- 

 santly warm at mid-day ; so that, on the whole, the disadvantages 

 preponderate. 



The names here employed are the same as those used by Mr. 

 Blyth in his ' Catalogue of the Birds of the Asiatic Society's 

 Museum ' ; and, unless otherwise stated, the notes apply to birds 

 observed in Oudh. 



VOL. III. Q 



