400 Capt. Beavan on various Indian Birds. 



where sandbanks rise up here and there in raid-stream, we see 

 other varieties of Waders, mixed up with the Pelicans and 

 Tantali — troops of Egrets and Grey Herons {Ardea cinerea), 

 Terns of various species seated on the mud in large troops. 

 Sandpipers and Stints all busily at work, a single White Ibis of 

 the present species gravely stalking about in the midst of a 

 troop of Pelicans, Curlews in threes and fours, and an occasional 

 Fish-Eagle {Haliaetus leucoyaster) on some dry bough which 

 overhangs the stream, whilst above, on the wing and mingled 

 with screaming Terns in their flight, are numerous Kites 

 {Haliastur indus and Milvus govinda), which help to make up 

 the ornithological features in this animated scene. 



942. Geronticus papillosus. Warty-headed Ibis. 



This bird is better known to me by the name, usually given 

 to it by sportsmen in India, of " Black Curlew ", although of 

 course the latter is a misnomer. I procured specimens in the 

 Maunbhoom district at Maknu, near Ambekanuggur, on the 1st 

 of January 1865, and recollect having observed the bird at 

 Julpigoorie, where it was considered very fair eating, and often 

 shot on that account. 



945. Anser cinereus. Grey Goose. 



Tolerably common about Umballah in the cold weather, 

 especially so in January 1866, when I tried to stalk some, but 

 signally failed. I find that the late Dr. Scott remarks of this 

 species that on the 3rd and 4th of March 1866 vast flocks were 

 seen passing over Umballah, leaving for the colder lakes of 

 Thibet. In the preceding year (1865) the rain which fell at 

 the end of February and the beginning of March caused them 

 to leave later in their annual migrations ; and he mentions that 

 on the 7th of March he saw two flights of Geese, and on the 

 8th and 9th of the same month " more ditto " ; while on the 

 14th of March 1865 only a small flight were to be seen high in 

 air over the racecourse. In 1864 he notices having seen Wild 

 Geese passing north on the 28th and 29th of February ; and in 

 1863 the dates were respectively February 27 and 28 "of Geese 

 leaving the plains.^^ 



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