58 WANDERINGS OF A • 



and althougli the former is the more common, the latter 

 was often observed during our rambles on the banks of the 

 river. 



The pretty blue-throated warbler {Cyanecula suedca) fre- 

 quents the mustard-fields and low scrub, frisking about like 

 the robiu redbreast. All specimens I have shot and examined 

 in India had the spot on the breast rufous. 



By the sides of tanks, and in damp situations overgrown 

 with stunted rushes or carex, may be found the yellow-headed 

 wagtail (Budytes citreold), generally perched on a tuft of the 

 latter, its long hind-claw facilitating this position. There can 

 be no difficulty in recognisiag this bird from other yellow 

 wagtails, by the last-named peculiarity, and the head, neck, 

 and lower parts being yellow. 



The Brahminy goose {Casarca rutila) is often met with 

 above Suckur. The male is a fine-looking bird, and measures 

 about 29 inches ; the general colour of the plumage is rufous, 

 with brilliant green on the wing-coverts. It is shy and wary, 

 and not easily approached. 



riocks of mallards, teal, Gargany teal, and spoonbUls, line 

 the shores and cover the little islands. The spoonbills are 

 easily distinguished by their white bodies and black legs. 

 The pintail-duck is not uncommon, and now and then we 

 killed numbers of that fine duck the red-headed pochard, 

 distinguished by a prominent rufous crest. 



On gaining the mouth of the Sutlej our party disem- 

 barked from the steamers, and made the rest of the voyage in 

 native boats, thatched and covered over. In this way I had 

 a better opportunity of observing the natural history of the 

 districts we passed through, which, in point of fertility, in- 

 creased as we proceeded onwards. Luxuriant crops of barley 

 and wheat covered the country ; the yellow tinge of the 



