165 



The only spot of wliite on the bird is at the chin. Wings and 

 tail short. This bird appears quite distinct from any described 

 species of Ralius or Gallinula. The nearest approach to it is 

 the Rali. niger of Gmelin from the Cape of Good Hope. Sexes 

 alike. Frequents sedgy and marshy places amidst iow bushe?. 

 Shuns observation. 



Genus Porphyrio^Brhs. 

 204-. Porphyrio smaragnotus, Temm., Man. d'Orn 2nd Edit. 2. 700. 

 Fulica Porphyrio, Linn., 1. 258. Le Taleve de Madagascar, 

 Buff., PI. Enl.810. 

 These very beautiful birds are found on most of the very largo 

 tanks or ponds, the surface of vvhich is a good deal covered 

 with the broad leaves of the Lotus, on which the birds vvalk. 

 Vegetable raatters only found in the stomach of several birds, 

 particularly parts of the green capsules of Trapą bisjnnosa. 

 Sexes alike. Irides blood red. Length, inclusive of tail, 18 

 inches : tail 3į^ inches. Stomach a true gizzard. 



Genus Fulica, Auct. Coot. 

 Ž05. Fulica atra, Linn., 1.257. Le Foulque, Buff., Ois. 8. 211. PI. 

 Enl. 197. 

 Differs only from Javanese specimens in being larger, and a shade 

 lighter helow. Much larger than the common Cout of Europe, 

 but with the šame čoloured irides (crimson), and does not 

 othervvise differ. Length, inclusive of tail, 18 to 19 inches: 

 tail 2 inches. It bas the habits o( Podiceps, and vvith the giz- 

 zard, ]ong cceca, and general internal organization oia.Duck, 

 seems to belong to the order Natatores. Water weeds and coarse 

 sand found in the stomach. 



Fam. Charadriadcc, Leach. — Genus Cursorius, Lath. Courser. 



206. Cursorius Asiaticus, Lath., Ind. Orn. 2. 751. 2. Cour.vitc de 



Coromandel, Buff., Ois. 8. 129. PI. Enl. 892. 

 Irides dark brown. Length, inclusive of tail, 10 inches: tail 2| 

 inches. Sexes alike. Numerous in Dukhun ; but only on the 

 open Stony and grass plains. This bird has the shortness of 

 intestine of the Bustard (eąual to the length of the body), with 

 a stomach nearly similar; feeding in the šame manner on in- 

 sects and their larves and with the šame cursorial habits, and 

 should therefore be placed near the Siruthionidce, after Otis and 

 Tetrao. 



Genus Vartelius, Briss. Lapvoing. 



207. Vanelbis Goensis, Steph., 11.514. Tringa Goensis, Lath., Ind. 



Orn. 2. 727. 7. Parra Goensis, Gmel., 1. 706. Vanneau 

 armi de Goa, Buff., PI. Enl. 807. 

 Irides fuscous crimson. Length, inclusive oftail, 14 inches: tail 

 5 inches. Aft'ect open plains and beds ofrivers. Gregarious. 

 Water insects, shells, and corn found in the stomach. A watch- 

 ful and noisy bird at nigiit ; uttering cries of Did he doo if, 

 Did he doo it. Sexes alike. 

 [No, XXIII.] 



