(522057) 
(891) ACTITIS GLAREOLA, Spotted Sandpiper, is often met with 
on the banks of our bigger hill rivers. In size, about 9 inches. It 
has a longish bill, straight and slender ; tail lengthened, toes longish. 
These small birds keep much to themselves, and are usually found 
singly. They can run nimbly along sandy and shingly shores of 
rivers, with great ease and elegance. Sandpipers are natty little 
birds, carry themselves lightly and gracefully. They usually seek out 
marshy damp spots. Most of the Sandpipers change colour a good 
deal, according to season of the year. They are found with greater 
facility in winter, when colour of the Spotted Sandpiper is dark 
brown, with white aud greyish spots ; on the back, head aud wings 
brown, white about the sides of the head ; upper tail coverts white ; 
tail striped black and white ; breast dull white, with streaks 
and spots of brown ; underparts white, flanks barred with brown. 
(899) RECURVIROSTRA AVOCETTA, Avoset, is the next bird likely 
to be met with, more readily in the district. On the whole it is 
fairly uncommon, though they are seen beside the bigger rivers, on 
swampy ground chiefly ; occasionally on high altitudes. This Avoset 
is 18 inches in length. Its bill is very long, typically curved, thin, 
rather flexible, concave in shape, well turned up at the tip; wings 
long and pointed ; tarsus long and slender ; toes webbed ; hallux 
(hind toe) minute. Colour, black predominates, above, and pure 
white beneath the body ; head, upper neck, back, lesser wing coverts 
and primaries are deep black ; the remaining portions of the bird are 
white. In winter they are occasionally founds on the banks of 
Teesta or swimming about in the more peaceful eddies. The bill is 
black ; irides red brown ; legs bluish. 
Sup-FamMILy PARRINA 
We will have to turn our attention to the Terai for the two 
species represented in this group :—Jacanas. These birds are made 
out without much difficulty. They form a curious class of Water- 
birds, which frequent Jhils, pools or ponds of more or less stagnant 
water, lakes and marshes where broad leafed aquatic plants, water 
lilies ete. luxuriate ; over which the Jacana finds a secure foothold. 
These birds are of moderate size, with typically very long feet and 
claws ; hind toe also very long, which aids them to run with ease on 
the broad floating plants on surface of the water. 
(900) Meroprpius INDICUS, Bronze-winged Jacana, is frequently 
seen, in stagnant pools in the Terai. One, might have mistaken it 
