304 FIRST LIST OF THE BIRDS OF 



894.— Totanus glottis, Lin. 



Females.— Length, 14-50 to 15*0; expanse, 23*50 to 24*50 ; 

 wing, 7-33 to 7-50 ; tail, 3-0 to 3-35 ; tarsus, 2-33 to 2-50 ; bill 

 from gape, 2*30 to 2-52; at front, 2-10 to 2-20; weight, 6-12 

 ozs. Bill bluish at base ; blackish tip ; legs greenish. 



Very common in the cold weather along the rivers and creeks. 

 Towards the beginning of April they gather in flocks of 40 

 and 50, and by the end of that month leave the country. 



897.-— Totanus calidris, Gmel. 



2nd April 1878, Female. — Length, 11*0; expanse, 19*50; 

 wing, 6*08; tail, 2*92; tarsus, 1*83; bill from gape, 1*92; at 

 front, 1*40 ; weight, 4*12 ozs. Bill, base reddish ; rest blackish; 

 legs pale reddish ; irides brown, 



I only saw three individuals during the season, very noisy and 

 wary. The female I shot while hovering over a Phalacrocoraoa 

 pygmams whom it was annoying. Had it not been so 

 occupied, I could never have got near it. 



898— Himantopus^candidus, Bonn. 



Common in the larger swamps in small parties of 8 and 10. 

 By the end of March they commence leaving the district. 



900.— Parra indica, Lath. 



26th January 1878, Male. — Length, 10*20; expanse, 21*25; 

 wing, 6'25; tail, 2*0; tarsus, 2*42; bill from gape, 1*20; at 

 front, 1*04 ; closed wings fall short of end of tail, 016 ; hind 

 claw, 2*10. 



26th January 1878, Female. — Length, 12*0; expanse, 24*0; 

 wing, 7*12 ; tail, 2*25 ; tarsus, 2'75 ; bill from gape, 1*30 ; at 

 front, 1*12 ; closed wings exceed end of tail, 0*50; hind 

 claw, 2*37. 



Very common during the rains, when they may be seen in the 

 cuttings along side of roads, and in swamps as well as paddy 

 fields. During the cold weather they are found in weedy tanks 

 and beels. They lay in July and August. All the eggs I have 

 found have been laid on masses of rotten vegetation which 

 were submerged, the eggs being on the water level. In no 

 instances have I found dry weeds under the eggs, nor has there 

 been any approach to a nest. I saw very few white-breasted 

 birds even during the cold weather. 



901.— Hydrophasianus chirurgus, Scop. 



2nd April 1878, Mate.— Length, 16*10; expanse, 23-50; 

 wing, 7*50; tail, 4*0; tarsus, 2*08; bill from gape, 1*20; at 



