. 



634 RALLID^E. 



1319. Hydrophasianus chirurgus (Scop.'), Jerd., B. ind. in. 



p. 709; Hume, Nests and Eggs Ind. B. p. 592; id., Sir. F. iii. p. 185; 

 Salvad., Ucc. Born. p. 343; David et Oust. Ois. Chine, p. 483; Legge, 

 B. Ceylon, p. 914; Oates, B. Br. Burnt, ii. p. 360; Murray, Vert.Zool., Sind, 

 p. 259. Tringa chirurgus, Scop., Del. Flor. et. Faun. Insubr. ii. p. 92. 

 Parra sinensis (Gm.), Syst. Nat. I, p. 709. Hydrophasianus sinensis, Blyth 

 and Wald., B. Burnt, p. 157. The PHEASANT-TAILED JACANA. 



In winter plumage, the forehead, crown, a streak from the base of the bill 

 through the eye, extending down each side of the neck on to the breast and 

 forming a pectoral gorget ; also the back of the neck dusky or pale hair brown, 

 the feathers on the forehead and crown tipped with white ; supercilium white, 

 and a pale golden yellow line from behind the eye; back, scapulars, tertials 

 and lesser wing coverts glossy olive, or pale hair brown; the lower back, 

 rump, upper tail coverts and central tail feathers slightly darker, and the lesser 

 wing coverts mottled and barred transversely with white. Shoulder of wing 

 spurred. First primary with an appendage, the shaft of 2nd, 3rd and 4th in 

 some specimens hair like at the tip, all dark brown, and, except the first and 

 second, broadly white on their inner and outer webs ; greater coverts and 

 secondaries, chin, throat, neck in front, abdomen, vent and under tail coverts 

 white ; tail 3*5 to 4 inches. In breeding plumage the forehead, crown, entire 

 face, chin, throat and neck in front white. There is a black patch on the 

 nape ; and the neck behind is shining golden yellow, edged on the sides with 

 black; back, scapulars and tertiaries dark olive brown, with purplish reflec- 

 tions; rump and upper tail coverts bronzed dark brown; tail black; breast 

 and entire lower parts dark or deep dusky brown , shoulder of wing spurred ; 

 wing coverts white; primaries as in the winter plumage. 



Length. 18 to 20 inches ; irides dark brown ; bill plumbeous at the base and 

 tipped greenish, 1-25 in length ; tail loto 1 1 inches ; wing 8 to 8*5; tarsus 2-12 ; 

 middle toe and claw 3 inches ; hind toe and claw 2 inches. 



Hab. Throughout India, Ceylon and British Burmah. Common in Sind 

 on the Munchur and other Lakes, also in the Punjab and N.-W. Provinces. 

 Breeds in the Province from May to September, making a large floating nest. 

 Eggs, pear-shaped, of a beautiful bronze colour. 



Family, RALLID^E. 



Bill compressed, short, pointed, thick, wedge-shaped ; nostrils in a short 

 groove ; legs stout ; toes long ; tarsi moderate ; tail short. 



Sub-Family, GALLINULIN^E. WATER-HENS. 



Bill with the keel advancing on the forehead, where there is usually a 

 casque ; toes long and slender or bordered by a scolloped web j wings short 

 and rounded ; hind toe long. 



