400 Notes on. the Birds of the Samhhur Lake !^^ its vicinity. 



941.— Threskiornis melanocephalus, L. 



During- my residence at Sambhur^ I have only observed tbis 

 species on one occasion, viz., on 19th June 1873. The specimen 

 shot was a fine male. All the quills were white, with the excep- 

 tion of one, which had a narrow black line about an inch in length. 

 Irides, dark-brown ; leg's and feet, very deep purple, almost black. 

 Length, 30'9 ; expanse, 53"3j wing, 15*3; tail, from vent, 5*1; 

 bill, at front, along curve, 7*7; tarsus, 4*3; length of foot, 

 6'2 ; the elongated re-curved breast feathers measured 4 inches. 



942. — Geronticus papillosus, Tem. 



This species is very common, and is generally seen in small 

 flocks of four or six feeding together. I saw eggs of this bird 

 taken in the month of September, and on the 10th August 1873 

 my attention was called by a tremendous screaming to a pair of 

 these birds on the top of a pepul tree. On looking up, I found 

 the birds busy courting; both of the birds were screaming loudly 

 and waving their long necks about in a most absurd manner. 



In young birds the red papillse on the head are replaced by 

 fuscous brown feathers, 



944. — Phcenicopterus roseus, Fall. 



When the late Lord Mayo visited the lake, he was much 

 struck with the view he obtained from one of our highest salt 

 heaps of the brilliant masses of rose-colored flamingoes stretching 

 away to the horizon. 



Flocks of this bird appear after the first heavy showers of 

 rain, and the length of time they remain here depends on the 

 amount of water in the lake. This year I saw the last flock 

 about the middle of March, but last year, when there was more 

 water in the lake, they remained till the beginning of April. 

 I ffive the measurements of a male and female — ■ 



Male 

 Temale 



When they first arrive they are easily shot. I have knocked 

 over six with one barrel, but they soon became very wary. At the 

 beginning of May 1873 we had showers and storms for six days, 

 and on the 7th and 8th I observed two small flocks of this bird 

 in the lake. 



944 6is.— Phcenicopterus minor, Geoff r, St. Eil. 



This bird was observed in large flocks during the cold 

 weather of 1872, vide my Note, page 32, ante. Last cold 

 weather, besides obtaining specimens of the adult bird, I have 



