1086 JOURNAL, BOMBAY XATUliAL HIST. .SOCIETY, Vol. XXL 



I found this bird comparatively common in the tract I have been touring 

 lin lately, viz., the forests on the Eastern slopes of the Pegu Yonas or range 

 dividing Sittang from Irrawady rivers situated about 60 miles due east of 

 'Thayetmyo. 



The date of first bird seen was January 26th, the last occasion on which 

 I noticed one, being March 12th. Between these dates I saw many birds 

 •and had good opportunities of watching their habits. They frequent the 

 .edo-es of densely forested streams, but one more partial to those parts 

 where kaing grass grows. They feed mostly on the ground creeping 

 about amongst the leaves in the thickest of scrub, but occasionally 

 .coming out into the sandy creeks hunting for insects amongst the 

 drift-wood. I found one bird I shot had been feeding on very small 

 black beetles found in the sand. 



I only found the birds singly and they are hard to discover, until they 

 make their presence known by their note, a soft low ' chip ' * chip,' this note 

 Seeing almost invariably uttered on being disturbed. They are by no means 

 ..shy birds and not until they are approached very closely do they fly, or 

 rather flit to some other bit of thick scrub. 



I have been fortunate in obtaining for our Museum one good specimen, as 

 •it is very difficult to procure the birds without very much damaging the 

 skins, as owing to their skulking habits, they have to be shot at a very close 

 range and ovit of seven birds shot I only procured 4 specimens worth pre- 

 .serving. 



Tweeddale's Scimitar Babbler {nuchalis) is a very common bird in the 

 Pegu Yoma forests, but I thought our Museum would be glad to receive a, 

 .specimen. 



Great Black Woodpecker {Thriponav feddfitii) . — I have already reported 

 ithe taking of this bird's eggs on February 6th. On the 18th of same 

 imonth, I noticed another bird of the same species excavating its nest hole. 

 I watched its nest and on March 1st took from it two fresh eggs. 



TJiriponax feddeni appears to be an early breeder and somewhat irregu- 

 lar, as just about the same date as I found the bird excavating its nest 

 ,hole, my men found another nest of almost fully fledged young, the date 

 , being about February 17. 



J. P. COOK. 



Thayetmyo, March 2Qth, 1912. 



[ We are very giacl to receive these skins which are new to our collection. — Eds.] 



No. XXIV.— CHINESE GREY DUCK IN BURMA. 



From the Rangoon Gazette, dated 16th January 1912. 

 [ have great satisfaction in recording what I believe to be the first 

 .authentic record of the Chinese Grey Duck {Anas xonorhyncha) \n Burma. 



