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and rushes, aud a shore full of quagmires. You can generally make 
them out by their long bills, which are sub-curved, near the tip, of 
orange reddish colour at the base, above ; lower back white ; quills 
dark, with white at the upper end : greater coverts are edged white ; 
upper portion of the tail white, remainder black ; under plumage, 
neck and breast are whitish. 
(876) TEREKIA CINEREA, Avoset Sandpiper, brings us nearer 
“home” (Darjeeling). It can without much difticulty be made out, 
usually feeding or quietly resting on Sandy shores of the Teesta and 
Great Runjeet. It is a small sized bird, about 9 inches in length ; 
its bill is long, slender and recurved in shape found in Avosets. In 
appearance and habits it is dainty looking ; plumage is bluish ash, 
with dark streaks; cheeks white with ashy spots: wings and 
shoulders dark brown ; lower parts of the hody are white ; legs and 
bill orange yellow, darker in colour towards end of the bill ; tarsus 
fairly short ; front toe partially webbed. 
(878) NUMENIUS PHA&OPUS, Vhimbrel, is commonly called “Wood- 
cock of India.” It is gregarious and found in flocks, near Jhils, 
Lakes and marshy Nullahs. It usually arrives in the country from 
its home in Northern altitudes, about middle of September. In 
size it is about 17 inches; plumage above, is dark brown, feathers 
are edged pale on the back and wing coverts ; lower back and rump 
white, the latter with lines of brown ; tail brown with cross bars ; 
under tail-coverts and body beneath white ; flanks barred ; head 
ashy coloured, with pale-streaks. Its streaked appearance of colour, 
and well flavored flesh, makes it a good substitute for Wood-cock. 
(879) IpipoRHYNCHUS STRUTHERSI, Jted-billed Curlew can, 
ecnerally, be found without much trouble on the banks of Little and 
Great Runjeet, or on wide sandy churs of the Teesta. The wings 
of this bird are long; tertiary feathers also lengthened, similar to 
what was noticed in Lapwings, is says Hodgson. “A curlew with 
short legs and feet of a plover,” or as Gould says “ feet are like 
those of Hwmatopus (Oyster-Catcher) and its bill that of an Ibis.” 
Both these remarks give a fair idea of this species. In size 16$ 
inches. Ibidorhynchus, has a well curved bill, long and_ slender, 
upper mandible grooved ; wings long ; tail short ; tarsus short and 
strong ; no hind toe ; bill deep crimson ; irides red ; legs bright red. 
This bird is found chiefly on the Himalayas. 
The next few birds, Ruffs, Knots, Curlew Stints, Dunlins, 
Sunderlings ete. are common and plentiful in the plains ; seldom or 
ever come near the district. f 
