THE BIRDS OB' NORTE CACHAR, 371 



It is fairly common, but not exceedingly so, in the plains of Cachar, 

 :aud almost rare in the hills, where, Instead of being the " every day 

 familiar " bird it is in Bengal^ it is as shy and wild as possible.* 

 (-139) Centkococcyx bengalensis. — The Lesser Coiical. 

 Hume, No. 218 ; Blanford, No. 1133. 

 There are two distinct sizes of this bird in, Cachar, both inhabiting 

 ■exactly the same places. 



One of these is of the largest size, the total length averaging 16 

 inches, and the wing a little over seven. 



The Jnaller form averages not more than 12 inches, and has the 

 wing only 5"5". I have seen no intermediate forms, but as yet have 

 too small a series to make any assertions about them. 



(440) Tagcocua leschenaulti. — The Bengal Sirkeer. 

 Hume, Bo. 220 ; Blanford, No. 1129. 

 This was a bird I was much surprised to see up here, but in the hills 

 it seems as common as, or not more rare than, the last bird. I have 

 not received any notice of it from the plains, and it does not seem to 

 occur there. 



* Since writing the above, I see that Blanford has joined rufiiminis, maximus, inter- 

 onedius and sinensis under the one name of sinensis, a conclusion in which I. most heartily 

 concur,- so that this bird will now stand as Centroims sinenm. 



