NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF UPPER ASSAM. 727 



399. Charadrius dubius, Scop. [1447]. — The Little Ringed Plover. 



^gialitis dubia, Blanford, F. B. I., Vol. iv., p. 241. 



Occurs on all the rivers throughout the plains and on other large sheets of 

 water in the cold season. 



E. Dibru, February, March (April, 15-4-03, $) ; Bhimpoora bhil, Gogal- 

 dhubie, December ; Subansiri, Hessamara, December ; Runganuddie, Dejoo, 

 May, 6-5-04, S ; 31-12-05, S . Iris brown ; orbital ring yellow ; bill black ; 

 tarsus dull yellow ochre. 



400. Charadrius placidus, Gray. [1449]. — The Long-billed Ringed Plover. 



^(liatitis placida, Blanford, F. B. I., Vol. iv., p. 244. 



Procured on the Dibru, Rungagora, 21-12-01, 5 5 . 



Runganuddie, Dejoo, 7-7-04, S, a most unusual date in the rains; 

 10-9-08, 5,7-1-11, (5 J , others observed at different dates over a period 

 of several years. 



Iris brown; orbits yellow; bill black ; tarsus pale pinkish-yellow ; claws 

 black. 



Both these Ringed Plovers are cold season migrants. 



401. Recurvirostra avocetta, L. [1452]. — The Avocete. 



R. Dejoo, North Lakhimpur, 7-11-04, S ■ Not recorded by Blanford for 

 Assam. Iris brown ; bill black ; tarsus slaty blue. 



402. Ibydorhyncha struthersii, Vigors. [1453]. — The Ibis-bill. 



Ibidorhynchics struthersi, Blanford, F. B. I., Vol. iv., p. 249. 



"Puggah", Hill Miri. 



In North Lakhimpur, at the cold season, to be met with in the beds of the 

 hill rivers and streams, as far as the limits of the fast flowing water, as they 

 are partial to the '' gagris " or rapids; occur in pairs or small parties of six to 

 eight individuals ; when disturbed they go through the jerky neck move- 

 ments in a similar manner to most waders and utter a loud wild piping 

 whistle before taking flight which possibly only means a short distance 

 covered with expanded wings half skimming and running over the stony 

 ground. On their arrival these Ibis-bills are extremely tame and loath to 

 leave the river bed by doubling back, they generally fly ahead until the 

 upper confined limits of the river are reached when they have to retrace 

 their flight overhead of necessity ; they keep however away from the 

 heavily forested banks. Towards the middle of March they recede into 

 the hills, a near approach then is a difficult matter. They are adept 

 swimmers in the shallow rapid water and a wounded bird will endeavour 

 to dive when pressed. 



Blanford's remark: " descending almost to the plains in winter" is nearer 

 the mark than Dresser who states "wintering in the mountains in spite of 

 the cold." 



R. Dejoo, North Lakhimpur, 4-12-04, S 6 , 9- \ Runganuddie, Dejoo, 

 11-12-04, 2 , cJ ; Joyhing, 1-3-09, S ; R- Dejoo, higher reaches, 18-12-10, S , 

 a pair seen ; Runganuddie Gorge, 16-2-09 *, a pair ; none in evidence on the 

 Runganuddie, 2-4-05 ; they probably depart the previous month. 

 R. Dejoo ghaut, mid-day, 31-12-10", a pair seen; Sifoo or Sifloo R, 

 Subansiri Gorge, 25-2-06 *, a small party ; Borburi Rapids, Subansiri, 

 Gorge, 2-2-06*, a party of six. Records also from Pathalipam and Derpai 

 on the Subansiri. Dirga R. above Seajuli and Joyhing R. 



Iris crimson, also brownish-crimson occasionally ; bill deep coral red or 

 purplish-red ; tarsus pale lavender mauve shading lighter towards toes, 

 pinkish-grey or mauve tinged ochreous ; claws black. 



Jerdon's description of the coloration of the soft parts wherever they 

 disagree with those of a competent observer such as Blanford or Godwin 



