THE BIRDS OF KOHAT AND THE KURRAM VALLEY. 971 



[1407.] Grus communis. The Common Crane. 



Rattray, J. B. N. H. S. xii., p. 345 (passes over Thall in great numbers : 

 often driven back after storms). 



Large flocks pass over from the third week in February till the end of 

 March, returning in August and September, but rarely halting except in 

 the Latammar Nullah or at Dhodha. 



Residents at Parachinar say that Cranes on migration fly straight over 

 the Safed Koh Range (lowest point 11,760 feet) and not round the western 

 shoulder, but that they are frequently forced to turn back by storms 

 Major Magrath, too, has often observed them returning S.E. to Bannu 

 after a storm. 



[1411.] Anthropoides virgo. The Demoiselle Crane. 



Rattray, J. B. N. H. S. xii., p. 346 (Thall) ; dimming, op. cit. xvi., p. 393 

 (Seistan : a few occur in February and March) ; Ward, op. cit. xvii, p. 945 

 {a winter visitor to Kashmir). 



This beautiful species passes through in big flocks from the end of March 

 till about the middle of April (last flock seen on the 17th), returning in 

 September. 



[1413.] Otis tetrax. The Little Bustard. 



Ward, J. B. N. H. S. xvii., p. 945 (Kashmir : one shot in December). 



Very rare. We have never met with this species, but Mr. Donald says 

 that he has twice flushed the " Butterfly" Bustard, as he calls it, from its 

 peculiar flight, when hawking the Houbara. 



[1415.] Houbara macqueeni. The Houbara Bustard. 



Marshall, J. B. N. H. S. xv., p. 353 (passes through Quetta in March and 

 April) ; Cumming, op. cit. xvi., p. 693 (fairly common in Seistan in spring : 

 said to breed). 



A rather scarce winter visitor, but fairly plentiful on the spring migra- 

 tion in March. Mr. Donald frequently takes this Bustard with his trained 

 Cherrug Falcons {Falco cherrug). 



[1418.] (Edicnemus scolopax. The Stone-Curlew. 



Marshall, J. B. N. H. S. xvi., p. 353 (rare at Quetta) ; Ward, op. cit. xvii., 

 p. 945 (Kashmir). 



I only once met with this species in Kohat and that was near Sheikhan 

 on the 22nd of August, 1906. Mr. Donald says that it occurs commonly 

 in the desert-country between Samrud and the mouth of the Khyber Pass, 

 i.e., about 40 miles N. E. of Kohat. 



[1427.] Glareola lactea. The Small Indian Pratincole. 



Rattray, J. B. N. H. S, xii., p. 346 (Thall) ; Ward, op. cit. xvii, p. 945 

 (said to occur in Kashmir). 



A summer visitor from April till August. Col. Rattray found it breeding 

 freely on the gravel banks in the Kurram River in April. It was very com- 

 mon when we passed through Thall in April and on our return in May. 



