THE BIRDS OF GORAKHFUR. 545 



Amaurornis phosnicunis (1401). — The White-breasted Water-hen. 



A fairly common bird in suitable places, and it does not appear very 

 particular as to choice requiring very little water and sometimes being 

 found in sugarcane fields with no permanent water near. 



Gallinula chlorojms (1402). — The Moorhen. 



This bird is, I think, not common as I have never noticed it, but Mr. Hope 

 Simpson found it a common bird on a jheel at Gopalpur where several birds 

 Avere shot. 



Qallicrex cinerea (1403).- — The Water-Cock. 



Uncommon, except in a few localities in the extreme north of the district. 



Porphyrio poliocephalus (1404). — The Purple Moor-hen. 



Fairly common on most of the larger jheels. 



Fulica atra (1405). — The Coot. 



Very common on all large jheels. I do not think it remains to breed. 



Grtjid^. 



Grus antigone (1409). — The Sarus. 



Fairly common. On the Gandak river in January 1911 I twice saw a 

 large flock of these birds flying over-head. On the first occasion there 

 were 20 birds and they were flying in a V shape, 15 birds forming one arm 

 of the V and 5 the other. On the second occasion there were 24 birds and 

 they were spread out in a long diagonal line. 



O'XIDiE. 



Sypheotis aurita (1416). — The Lesser Florican. 



I have only observed this bird during the early months of the rains and 

 1 think it probably only visits the district at this season and then only in 

 very small numbers. 



Oedicnemid^. 

 (Edicnemus scolopax (1418). — The Stone-Curlew. 

 Fairly common in suitable places. 

 Esacus recur drostris (1419). — The Great Stone-Plover. 

 A not uncommon bird along the banks of the Gandak. 



Glakeolid^. 



Cursorius coromandelicus (1422). — The Indian Courser. 



Not uncommon. 



Glareola lactea (1427). — The Swallow-Plover. 



This bird does not appear to be at all common, but was observed by 

 Mr. Hope Simpson on the Ghogra and on Bakhira Tal where it was 

 apparently picking insects off the water in the dusk of the evening. 



PARRIDiE. 



Metopidius indicus (1428). — The Bronze-winged Jacana. 



Fairly common on suitable jheels. I took eggs on 30th July 1909 and 

 3rd August 1909. The birds frequently disclose the position of their eggs 

 by jumping up into the air near them, screaming and fluttering their 

 wings. 



Hydrophasianus chirurgus (1429). — The Pheasant-tailed Jacana. 



Not quite such a common bird as the preceding species. Eggs taken 

 3rd August 1909. 



Charadkiid^. 



Sarcogrammus indicus (1431). — The Red- wattled Lapwing 

 Common. 



