348 NOTES ON SOME BIRDS COLLECTED IN THE EASTERN OR 
I do not, however, think generic separation necessary and 
prefer to consider this an aberrant species of Totanus.—A. O. H. | 
895.—Totanus stagnatilis, Bechst. 
This species, though not scarce, was by no means abundant. 
It was more frequently met with on the margins of the tidal 
nullahs and creeks, than on the extensive mud flats at the 
mouth of the river. Specimens measure in the flesh :— 
Length, 10°2 to 10:7; expanse, 15°5 to 16:2; tail from vent, 
2°6 to 2°85; wing, 5:2 to 5°3; tarsus, 2 to 2°03; bill from 
gape, 1:7 to 1°75. 
Irides, dark brown; bill, dusky greenish black ; legs and feet, 
greenish plumbeous. 
[Of two specimens killed on the 28th February, one was 
in winter plumage, and the other in almost perfect summer 
plumage.—A. O. H.] 
897.—Totanus calidris, Lin. 
This species was extremely abundant, occurring in large 
quantities both on the shore between Elephant Point and 
China-Ba-keer, and along the margins of the numerous 
nullahs and creeks in the vicinity. They generally associate 
in large flocks, which do not appear to hunt for food in company 
with other birds of different species. The combined effect 
produced by the red legs of a large flock of these birds is 
very striking, having the appearance of a large red patch 
moving about on the sands. In this way they may be recog- 
nized with facility from a considerable distance. Male birds 
measure in the flesh :— 
Length, 10:35 to 11°29; expanse, 19°4 to 19°8; tail from 
vent, 2°5 to 2:8; wing, 6°8 to 6:3; tarsus, 2 to 2:1; bill from 
gape, 2°05 to 2:15. The females are somewhat smaller, and 
give the following measurements in the flesh :— 
Length, 10:75 to 11:25; expanse, 18°75 to 19°5; tail from 
vent, 2°5 to 2°7; wing, 5°8 to 61; tarsus, 2 to 2:1; bill from 
gape, 1°9 to 2. 
In both male and female the irides are dark brown ; the bill, 
dusky red for basal third, from thence to tip dusky black ; 
’ legs and feet, orange red. 
900.—Metopodius indicus, Lath. 
I only met with this bird in the jheels and tanks which were 
overgrown with aquatic plants and grasses. In these locali- 
ties it was extremely abundant, lying so close amongst the 
vegetation, that frequently it would not rise until I had 
got so near as almost to be able to touch it. A fine male 
bird in the full black plumage of the adult was shot by me 
