HELIOPAIS. 183 



In females the chin, throat, and fore neck are white with a 

 black border, broadest on the cheeks and edged outside with 

 white as in the male ; the frontal black band is rather narrower ; 

 otherwise the plumage resembles that of the male sex. Young 

 birds are like females. 



Bill chrome -yellow in males, dull yellow in females ; irides dark 

 brown in males, yellow in females ; legs and feet pale green, 

 edges of the webs bright yellow in males, faintly tinged with 

 yellow in females (Davisori). 



Length of male 22 ; tail 5 ; wing 10 ; tarsus 2 ; bill from 

 gape 2-4. Length of female 20'5; tai!4'5; wing 9*25; tarsus 1*75. 



Distribution. From Assam and Cachar throughout Burma to 

 Malacca and Sumatra, in suitable localities, but very rare. 



Habits, $c. This very curious bird has been found on the sea- 

 coast, in swamps, and on rivers and mountain streams. 1 believe 

 I once killed one on the Irrawaddy above Prome, but I did not 

 know the bird and did not preserve it. According to Dcivison 

 it swims deep in the water, with only the head and neck above 

 the surface ; it runs quickly, holding its body in a peculiar way, 

 at an angle to the ground of about 45. It is shy, and when 

 disturbed takes refuge in cover or flies up, slowly at first, but 

 strongly when fairly on the wing. The food consists of mollusca 

 and insects, probably of vegetable substances also ; the flesh is 

 said by Davison to be delicious. Nidification unknown. 



