THE BIRDS OF KOHAT AND THE KURRAM VALLEY. 977 



Abundant in the plains in summer, arriving in the beginning of April, and 

 nesting freely in the cantonments. A few stay through the winter, if fairly 

 mild. 



[1568.] Nycticorax griseus. The Night-Heron. 



Rattray, J. B. N. H. S. xii., p. 347 (rare, but presumably resident at 

 Thall) ; Ward, op. cit. xvii., p. 947 (breeds in Kashmir). 



Personally I have only met with this species in summer from April on- 

 wards ; but a few individuals appear to be resident, as Colonel Rattray 

 observed it at Thall in winter, and Major Magrath at Bannu. It occurs in 

 Kohat and the Kurram Valley (up to 4,800 feet at least), but is not common. 



[1570.] Ardetta mlstuta. The Little Bittern. 



dimming, J. B. N. H. S. xvi., p. 696 (Seistan : one specimen) ; Ward, op. 

 cit. xvii., p. 948 (breeds in Kashmir). 



I found a nest with seven slightly incubated eggs in a reed-bed near 

 Dandar on the 9th of July, 1906, and shot the male bird. The nest was a 

 flat pad of reeds on a stump, three feet above the water. I have several 

 times put up a Little Bittern, either this species or A. sinensis, in the reed 

 beds in the plains in April and May, but have not secured a specimen, so 

 cannot say to which species it belonged. 



[1574.] Botaurus stellaris. The Bittern. 



Rattray, J. B. N. H. S. xii., p. 347 (Thall: very rare) ; dimming, op. cit 

 xvi., p. 696 (Seistan : one shot in December) ; Ward, op. cit. xvii., p. 947 (a 

 winter visitor, but not common). 



72. Adult. Kohat, 1,600 ft., 7th January. 



A fairly common winter visitor, both to Kohat and the Kurram Valley. 

 Leaves early in April (last seen on the 8th). 



[1579.] Axsee, fertts. The Grey Lag-Goose. 



dimming, J. B. N. H. S. xvi., p. 697 (common in Seistan in winter) ; 

 Ward, op. cit. xvii., p. 948 (abundant in winter). 



Mr. Donald has shot this species on the grass-farm ; but it is very rare in 

 Kohat, though occurring regularly in the Kurram Valley in spring. 



[1588.] Casarca rutila. The Brahminy Duck or Ruddy Sheldrake. 



Rattray, J. B. N. H. S. xii., p. 347 (rare at Thall) : Marshall, op. cit. xv., 

 p. 354 (Quetta : occurs in February and March) ; Ward, op. cit. xvii., p. 948 

 (a winter visitor to Kashmir, breeds in Ladak). 



Passes through Kohat from the middle of February till the middle of 

 April, but is not common. 



[1587. Tadorna coknuta (S. G. 6m.). Major Magrath writes that the 

 Sheldrake is a regular spring visitor to Bannu in small numbers.] 



[1592.] Anas boscas. The Mallard. 



Rattray, J. B. N. H. S. xii., p. 347 (Thall : common in March) ; Marshall, 

 op. cit. xv., p. 354 (Quetta : common in winter) ; Fulton, op. cit. xvi., p. 64 



