THE DECCAN AND SOUTH MAHRATTA COUNTRY. 431 



Deccan, and it is included in the Konkan list by Major Lloyd, 

 though not yet observed in Ratnagiri by Mr. Vidal. Messrs. 

 Wenden aud Davidson, however, have omitted it in their 

 Deccan list. 



901 .— Hydrophasianus chirurgus, Scop. The Phea- 

 sant-tailed Jacana. 



Probably a permanent resident in some of the well-watered 

 tracts. Mr. Vidal records it from Ratnagiri as not uncommon 

 in the cold weather, and it occurs, as a rule, sparingly in 

 suitable localities throughout the region. I only observed it 

 occasionally about Belgaum. 



902.— Porphyrio poliocephalus, Lath. The Purple 

 Coot. 



Rare, but probably a permanent resident in some localities. 

 Occurs sparingly in the Deccan, frequenting tall reed beds, aud 

 has once been obtained from Malvan in Ratnagiri, by Mr. Vidal, 

 but I have not met with it in the neighbourhood of Belgaum. 



903. — Fulica atra, Lin. The Common or Bald Coot. 



Cold weather visitant as a rule, but remains to breed in some 

 districts. Common in many parts of the Deccan, but scarce 

 now in Ratnagiri and other localities and about Belgaum, 

 though I got a nest in the latter district. 



905.— Gallinula chloropus, Lin, The Common 

 Water-Hen. 



Probably a permanent resident in some parts of the region ; 

 not uncommon in Ratnagiri and in some localities in the 

 Deccan, but about Belgaum and other districts it seldom occurs 

 at all. 



907.— Erythra phaenicura, Venn. The White-breast- 

 ed Water-Hen. 



Not uncommon as a rule in the rains, throughout the region, 

 but whether it remains with us the whole year round I cannot 

 say. In the Ratnagiri and Belgaum districts it is particularly 

 common. 



908.— Porzana akool, Sykes. The Brown and Ashy 

 Crake. 



Jerdon remarks, " has been found in the Deccan," whence 

 indeed Sykes' type was obtained, and Mr. Hume assures me 

 that some of the eggs I sent him from Belgaum belong to this 

 species, but I myself have never come across the bird. 



