224 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 



sooty, and it is only second-rate as a table bird, and can take no 

 rank in presence of so many better birds as we find here. 



Of the Cultirostres, we have the great Adjutant and the hand- 

 some " Jabira " (Mycteria). 



The European Stork is a winter visitor, the Black Stork rare, 

 and, as elsewhere, confounded with the black White-necked Stork, 

 which is very abundant. 



2he Herons are abundant. On one occasion I saw a bird which 

 I took at the time for Ardea sumatrana, but the observation is 

 doubtful. The grey Purple Herons, the various white Egrets, and 

 the whole tribe of Paddy-birds, swarm in suitable places; the 

 European Bittern is not uncommon in the cold weather and at 

 least one little bittern still less so. Mr. Littledale mentions this as 

 A . jlavicollis, but it is probably not alone. 



I have often seen various herons associated with crocodiles upon 

 (apparently) the most friendly terms, and once a white Egret 

 {H. minor) appeared actually to pick something off the reptile's 

 side, probably a leech or some parasite. 



The Spoon-bill is common, usually associated with the White Ibis. 

 The Glossy Ibis occurs in considerable flocks ; and the Black Ibis 

 in smaller parties, but more frequently. This bird is here often a 

 very foul feeder. The Pelican Ibis and Shell Ibis abound. The 

 three last birds all perch on trees ; but I have not seen the Glossy 

 Ibis do so ; and the White Ibis not often, except at night. 



Of the true Natatores, the first is the Flamingo, which abounds in 

 places in the cold weather, remaining as late (occasionally) as June, 

 I have not, however, found it breeding. (Where does it breed ? ) 



The typical Wild Goose, A. anser, occurs in the cold weather, 

 especially in the north-western districts bordering on the desert 

 region. The flocks are infrequent, and usually small, and the habits 

 of the bird appears to be rather nocturnal, so it is but seldom shot. 

 No other species of Anser (as restricted) has yet been recorded 

 The Nukta or Black-backed Goose ( Sarkidiomis melanonotus ) is 

 common, and breeds. The other resident Anatidus are the Lesser 

 Whistling Teal, the Cotton Teal, and the Spot-billed Duck. This last 

 is commonly called in Gujarat a Mallard, and is, indeed, very closely 

 allied to the European Mallard, which may perhaps occur in Gujarat 

 as a rare straggler. I have not seen it there myself. 



The Brahminy Dnck is common enough, and stays late; but does 

 not, I think, breed hers. The Sheldrake (Tadorna vulpanser) is 



