L834.] Catalogue of Birds in the Dukhun. 645 



Col. Sykes has specimens in such states of plumage as to correspond with the 

 above species, shot on the same ground. Migratory. Irides red brown. Length, 

 inclusive of tail, 10 inches : tail 1| inches. Sexes alike. Feed like Snipes. 

 Genus Pelidna, Cuv. Dunlin. 



200. Pelidna Temminckii, Steph., 12. 103. Tringa Temminckii, Leisl. Temm., Man. 

 d'Orn. 401. Small Dunlin. 



Identical with the European bird. Irides dark brown. Length, inclusive of tail, 

 6 to 6§ inches : tail 2 inches. Feed like Snipes. Gregarious. Excellent eating. 

 Fam. Rallidce, Leach. — Genus Parra, Linn. Jacana. 



201. Parra Sinensis, Gmel., 1. 709. Yellow back-necked Jacana. Fig. in Gould's 

 Century of Birds. 



The immature bird is the Parra Luzoniensis. Dive remarkably well despite their 

 long toes. Irides fuscous brown. Length, inclusive of tail, 18 to 19 inches : 

 tail 9 to 10 inches. Found in the stomach of many birds vegetable matter, two 

 species of univalve shells, bugs (Cimex annulatus) , and fine gravel. Gregarious, 

 and common on the rivers in Dukhun. 



Genus Gallinula, Ray. Gallinule. 



202. Gallinula Javanica, Horsf., Linn. Trans. 13. J 96. Poule Sultane de la Chine, 

 ou Poule Soultane brune, PI. Enl. 896. Pan Komree of the Mahrattas. 



This is the Variety 8 of the ' Index Ornithologicus.' Dr. Horsfield has judici- 

 ously separated it from the Gall, phanicura. Col. Sykes's specimens differ from 

 Dr. Horsfield's only in being a little larger. Irides fuscous red. Length, in- 

 clusive of tail, 11^ to 12§ inches : tail 2$ to 3 inches. Larva of water insect9 

 found in the stomach. Legs very long. 



Genus Rallus, Auct. Rail. 



203. Rallus Akool. Rail, corpore supra lateribusque olivaceo-fusco-brunneis ; alis 

 cauddque fuscis ; gulture, pectore, ventre, uropygioque cinereo-brunneis ; tegmi- 

 nibus alarum caudceque inferioribus saturate brunneis ; mento albo, 



Rost?-vm virescenti-nigrum. Pedes carneo-brunnei. Longitudo corporis S — 9 

 unc, caudee 2§. 

 The only spot of white on the bird is at the chin. Wings and tail short. This 

 bird appears quite distinct from any described species of Rallus or Gallinula. 

 The nearest approach to it is the Rail, niger of Gmelin from the Cape of Good 

 Hope. Sexes alike. Frequents sedgy and marshy places amidst low bushes. 

 Shuns observation. 



Genus Porphyrio, Briss. 



204. Porphyrio smaragnotus, Temm., Man. d'Orn. 2nd Edit. 2. 700. Fulica Por- 

 phyrio, Linn,, 1. 258. Le Taleve de Madagascar, Buff., PI. Enl. 810. 



These very beautiful birds are found on most of the very large tanks or ponds, the 

 surface of which is a good deal covered with the broad leaves of the Lotus, on 

 which the birds walk. Vegetable matters only found in the stomach of several 

 birds, particularly parts of the green capsules of Trapa bispincsa. Sexes alike. 

 Irides blood red. Length, inclusive of tail, 18 inches : tail 3^ inches. Stomach 

 a true gizzard. 



Genus Fulica, Auct. Coot. 



205. Fulica atra, Linn.. 1. 257. Le Foulque, Buff., Ois. 8. 211. PI. Enl. 197. 

 Differs only from Javanese specimens in being larger, and a shade lighter below. 



Much larger than the common Coot of Europe, but with the same coloured irides 

 (crimson), and does not otherwise differ. Length, inclusive of tail, 18 to 19 

 inches : tail 2 inches. It has the habits of Podiceps, and with the gizzards, 

 long cepea, and general internal organization of a Duck, seems to belong 

 to the order Natatores. Water weeds and coarse sand found in the sto- 

 mach. 



Fam. Charadriada, Leach. — Genus Cursorius, Lath. Courser. 



206. Cursorius Asiaticus, Lath., Iud. Orn. 2. 751. 2. Cour-vite de Corromandel, 

 Buff., Ois. 8. 129. PI. Enl. 892. 



Irides dark brown. Length, inclusive of tail, 10 inches : tail 2\ inches. Sexes 

 alike. Numerous in Dukhun ; but only on the open stony and grass plains. 

 This bird has the shortness of intestine of the Bustard (equal to the length of 

 the body), with a stomach nearly similar ; feeding in the same manner on in- 

 sects and their larvee and with the same cursorial habits, and should therefore 

 be placed near the Struthionidce, after Otis and Tetrao. 

 Genus Vanellus, Briss. Lapwing. 



207. Vanellus Gocnsis, Steph., 11. 514. Tringa Goensis, Lath., Ind. Orn. 2- 727. 7. 

 Para Goensis, Gmel., 1. 706. Vanneau arme de Goa, Buff., PI. Enl. 807. 



Irides fuscous crimson. Length, inclusive of tail, 14 inches : tail 5 inches. Affect 

 open plains and beds of rivers. Gregarious. Water insects, shells, and corn 

 found in the stomach. A watchful and noisy bird at night : uttering cries of Did 

 he doo it, Did he doo it. Sexes alike. 



