RANGOON DISTRICT OF THE IRRAWADDY DELTA. 299 
48 ter.—Poliornis liventer, Tem. (vide 8. F.,ITI,p.31.) 
This species is by no means very uncommon in the im- 
mediate vicinity of Elephant Point, where it frequents 
the extensive paddy-fields in that locality. These birds may 
be often seen in the early morning coursing along with a 
graceful swooping flight from one field to another, never 
rising to any height, but generally flying quite close to the 
ground, and when tired, settling down to rest on the slightly 
elevated boundaries between the fields. They are particularly 
wary and difficult to approach. The following are the 
dimensions recorded in the flesh of a fine male bird killed at 
Elephant Point :— 
Length, 15:8; expanse, 37:75; tail from vent, 6°5; wing, 
11°5; tarsus, 2°6; bill from gape, 1:4; mid toe and claw, 2:05. 
The irides were of a beautiful lemon yellow color; cere, 
orange; both mandibles, orange yellow, tipped with dusky 
brown ; legs and feet, bright yellow ; claws, dusky black. 
53.—Circus melanoleucus, Gmel. 
This bird was abundant in the neighbourhood of Rangoon, 
and was likewise numerous in suitable localities between Ele- 
phant Point and China-Ba-keer. Like Poliornis liventer it 
seemed to prefer hunting for its prey over the rice-fields 
and open waste ground. I shot three birds which, although 
differing very much inter se in coloration, are all referred by 
Mr. Hume to this species. The following are their dimensions 
recorded in the flesh :— 
Adulé male.—Length, 18°5 ; expanse, 41°75; tail from vent, 
85; wing, 14; tarsus, 3°05; bill from gape, 1:2; mid toe 
and claw, 1°75. Inrides, bright yellow; cere, dark slaty grey ; 
bill, dusky black; legs and feet, chrome yellow; claws, black. 
Male, juv.—Length, 18; expanse, 40; tail from vent, 8:5; 
wing, 13:5; tarsus, 3:1; bill from gape, 1:25 ; mid toe and claw, 
1°75. Inides, yellow; cere, slaty greenish grey ; bill, dusky 
black ; lower mandible, lighter colored near base; legs and feet, 
orange yellow ; claws, dusky black. 
Female, juv.—Length, 18°75 ; expanse, 43°25 ; tail from vent, 
8:6; wing, 14°4; tarsus, 3°25; bill from gape, 1°25; mid toe and 
claw, 1°85. Ivrides, light brownish yellow ; cere, slaty greenish 
grey ; bill, dusky black; legs and feet, orange yellow; claws, 
black. 
56 ¢er.—Milvus affinis, Gould. 
This species was met with everywhere, but was abundant 
only in the vicinity of villages. I observed a single pair 
breeding in the middle of January. They had their nest in 
