!J50 Contributions to the Ornithology of India, 8fe. 



905.— Gallinula chloropus, L, 



The water-hen abounds "in every swamp and broad in Sindh. 

 I shot some almost daily, expecting- to g-et BlytVs G. Bw'7iesi, 

 especially at the Muneher lake, whence the type specimen was 

 sent. I have killed and examined many specimens ; but all I 

 met with were referable to the European species. I beg-in to have 

 strong^ doubts as to whether G. Bnrnesi is not merely the 

 immature chloropus. In his orig-inal description Mr. Blyth 

 remarks : '^ The outer web of the first primary is white and the 

 outermost feather of the wing-let is also bordered with white.^' 

 As a matter of fact, however, this is often the case in G. chloropus, 

 so that these two characteristics cannot certainly he depended 

 upon for descriminating- the two species if they really exist. I 

 have two specimens one killed at Syree^ below Simla, the other at 

 Erinpoorah, in Rajpootana, which undoubtedly represent G. 

 Burnesl, and supposing- this latter to be really a distinct sjiecies 

 (and neither of my birds, ^jriwz^^/ac?'^, appear to be immature) the 

 features by which it can be most readily disting-uished are first, 

 its much smaller size, second, almost entire absence of frontal 

 plate ; third, far smaller development of the lateral membrane of 

 the toes ; /c»?^f?^>^, entirely white chin, and thxoiii', fifth, brown 

 head, nape, and neck almost unicolorous with the back. The 

 dimensions of Burnesi and chloropus males and females, were as 

 follows : 



BuuNESi. Chloropus. 



Leng-th 



Expanse 



Wing 



Tail from vent 



Tarsus 



Mid toe to root") 



of claw J 



Bill straig-ht toS 



front including [- I'lS I'lS 1-35 1-14. 



frontal plate _) 



These birds were all killed in the autumn or cold season, and 

 all measured in tlie flesh; but the question has more than once 

 suggested itself to me whether after all Burnesi may not merely 

 be the quite yoang bird of chloropus, and I hope some one who 

 has an opportunity of obtaining these birds soon after they 

 leave the nest, will kindly secure and send me specimens. My 

 Syree bird was obtained on the lOtli August^ that from Erinpoorab 

 on the 13th October. 



