LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. 419 



had killed several of each kind the morning I arrived, so I 

 had the opportunity of examining them closely, and I at once 

 recognized them, having frequently killed both in Sind. If 

 I am not mistaken this is the most southern point in India 

 where these birds, which are well known on the Runn, have 

 been found. I am told also that the Desert Lark (Certhilauda 

 desertorum) is not unfrequently seen in the Runn, as well 

 as another smaller kind which I cannot recognize by the des- 

 cription. Like the Desert Lark, it is only found in ones and 

 twos, and has a remarkable flight, something like a snipe. I 

 hope to be able to procure specimens in the cold weather. 



For the last three weeks game of sorts has been brought into 

 the Bombay market. Goanese shikarries kill many Whimbrel, 

 which are very fat and good to eat, though some are rather 

 fishy. Teal (both the common and blue-winged kind) are also 

 to be got now, and Golden Plover in rich plumage. 



Have you ever thought that there are more than one kind of 

 the common teal. Specimens vary so very much both in size 

 and plumage that I cannot but think there are more* sorts in 

 India than Jerdon gives. — H. E. M. James. 



Bombay, 20th September 1875. 



Sir, 



Looking at the sun this morning I saw birds \ery 

 frequently pass the disk. Some were in focus with the sun 

 itself, the wings being quite sharp against the disc and must 

 have been several miles high, but some were much nearer, and 

 I estimate their distance from me at about 2 miles by the focus 

 required to see them. These last must however have been quite 

 a mile above the earth's surface, and of course many were a 

 great deal higher. 



I suppose they were kites, but the appearance there was 

 rather as though the ivings were long and narrow like those 

 of Swallows, whereas I should have expected the points to be 

 blunted by the irradiation. 



The estimated distance between the tips might be a couple 

 of feet. 



Possibly this may interest some of the readers of Stray 

 Feathers. — J. Tennant, R. E. 



Roorkee, 23rd September 1875. 



[Many of these birds must have been quite invisible to the naked eye. I have no 

 doubt that Vultures, Kites and Eagles often soar for hours at heights at which they are 

 thus invisible to us, though we and our doings are quite within the grasp of their far- 

 eeeing gaze. This would help to account for the marvellous manner in which, when an 

 animal is killed in the plains, an apparently speckless sky becomes in an incredibly 

 short space of time crowded with "an heavenly host." — Ed.] 



* I have had reason to suppose that Querquedula glocitans occurs both in Sindh 

 and Guzerat, and that in its winter plumage it is generally overlooked. I have never 

 yet however seen an Indian-killed example of this species and greatly desire to 

 obtain one. — Ed., S. F. 



