THE BIRDS OF THE LUCKNOW CIVIL DIVISION. 79 
rare Geese. They seemed to be perfectly aware of the fact that 
some two or three different species of rare Geese occur, and 
had names on their finger-ends for them all. 
948.—Anser minutus, Naum. 
The Dwarf Goose, like the last species, may be looked upon 
as an occasional visitor, and Captain Irby also records it from — 
Oudh. Mr. Humealso has a specimen procured for him near 
Lucknow by Dr. Bonavia. 
Some years ago—I should say about eight or nine—I one 
morning shot about a dozen remarkably small geese on a jhil 
near the Ajgaon Railway Station, where I found them in vast 
numbers and comparatively tame. They most likely were 
this species, but I have not seen or shot any since. 
949.—Anser indicus, Gm. Native names—Hans 
and Kureyee-Hans. 
~The Barred-headed Goose occurs in countless numbers, and 
is, I think, unquestionably the most abundant, though the 
Grey Lag runs it very close in point of numbers. My 
remarks on the latter apply equally to this species. 
950.—Sarcidiornis melanonotus, Penn. Native name 
—Nukhta. 
The “ Nukhta,” or Comb-Duck, or “ Black-backed Goose,” as 
Jerdon erroneously calls it, is a permanent resident, common on 
all grassy jhils, and is easily stalked and shot, being far from a 
wary bird. I have seen it frequenting mangoe topes, though it 
was not on any of these occasions breeding. In the early morning 
it may frequently’ be seen feeding in recently-flooded paddy 
fields, and in swamps among the rushes, generally in parties 
ranging from 4 to 30—never, according to my experience, in 
larger numbers. 
Sir Samuel Baker, in his “ Albert N’Yanza,” refers to a 
Comb-Duck which is probably this species, which appears to be 
common about the Nile.* ' 
951.—Nettopus coromandelianus, Gm. Native name 
—Girria or Ghirra. 
The Cotton Teal is a permanent resident. Though it may be 
found in large, open jhils, generally in small parties, it prefers 
those covered with weeds, singhara and lotus plants. It doubt- 
less breeds here, but I have not as yet found any nest. 
* This was of course S, africanus, but whether this be really distinct from our bird 
seems doubtful.—Zd. 
