AVIFAUNA OF CHOTA NAGPUR. 437 



272.— Sarkidiornis melanotus, Pennant. 

 (950.) 



I have found the Black-backed Groose to be very common in 

 the western parts of the Division, more particularly in the 

 neighbourhood of the Rer river and its tributaries in Sirguja. 

 In the east — Manbhum — it is occasionally to be seen, but appa- 

 rently only as a temporary visitor. As Dr. Jerdon observes 

 it is not particularly wary ; but I have on more than one occasion 

 found flocks difficult to approach owing to the presence of one 

 or two Braminy Ducks, who most effectually performed the 

 duties of sentinels. 



273.— Nettapus coromandelicus, Lin. (951.) 



The Cotton Teal is found in all parts of Chota Nagpur where 

 there are tanks or jheels. 



274.— Dendrocygna arcuata, Eorsf. (952.) 



The Whistling Teal is found in all parts of the Division, not 

 only where there are tanks or jheels, but also in many rivers. 

 Those which frequent the latter as feeding places are generally 

 very poor eating, but even the tank birds vary much in quality. 



I have occasionally seen flocks of these birds perched on 

 trees. 



275.— Casarca rutila, Pallas. (954.) 



The Braminy Duck is common in most of the large rivers of 

 Chota Nagpur, especially so in the sandy reaches of the 

 Damuda, Cossye, Subanrika, Rer, Mahan, &c. During the night 

 it visits the neighbouring cultivation and gleans a considerable 

 amount of fallen rice, &c. As noticed above it occasionally 

 associates with flocks of S. melanotus doing duty as sentinel. 



ANATID^. 



276.— Spatula clypeata, Lin: (957.) 



The Shoveller is of rare occurrence in the Division. I have, 

 however, met with it there, as also in the vicinity of the 

 Rajmehal hills. 



277.— Anas psekilorhyncha, Penn. (959.) 



The Spotted-billed Duck is, according to Captain Beavan, 

 " rare, in pairs." According to my experience it is of extreme 

 rarity in all parts of the Division. 



On one occasion I suddenly came upon a pair of these birds 

 in a sheltered pool in the bed of the Gobri river in Sirguja and 



