204 Catalogue of the Birds [Oct. 



and feeds on frogs, shell-fish, shrimps and various insects, and their larvae, 

 both aquatic and terrestrial. 



Irides brown ; bill and legs dark olive green ; a whitish skin goes 

 round the. base of the bill, the eyes and the gape. Length varies from 

 22 to 26 inches ; of a full grown male, the bill is nearly 6 inches ; and 

 tarsus A\. 



P*- Family RALLIDiE.— Rails, &c. 



Gencs PARRA, L.— Peeho, II. — Tank-runner. 



326.— P. Indica, Lath.— P. a>nea, Cuv.— P. melancldoris, Vieill.— P. 

 superciliosa, Horsf. — Indian Tank-runner. 



This curious bird is found over most of the Peninsula, in tanks covered 

 with weeds, and water lilies, on the leaves of which it runs with great 

 facility. It feeds chiefly on seeds, and other vegetable matter. 



Bili green at the base, yellowish at the tip ; legs dark green. 

 Length about 1 foot ; bill to posterior end of frontal plate 1£ ; tarsus 

 2 T <Lths ; centre toe and claw 4£ ; hind do. 4. 



327.— P. Sinensis, Gmel., Gould. Cent. Him. Birds. — Golden-necked 

 Tank-runner. 



This handsome species, is perhaps, more generally spread than the 

 last, but not so numerous, except in some few localities. It frequents, 

 like the last, weeded and lily-covered tanks, but is also often to be seen 

 feeding at the edges of rivers and tanks, totally devoid of weeds. Feeds 

 on seeds, also on shells and water bugs. 



Irides deep brown ; bill and legs olive green. Length 22 inches ; 

 tail 1U ; tarsus 2 ; middle toe and claw 3 ; hind do. 2 ; bill at front 1. 



Genvs PORPHYRIO, Briss. 



328. — P. smaragnotus, Temm. — Gall, poliscepkala, Lath. — Keima, H. 

 —Sultana Coot or Purple Coot. 



This handsome bird is tolerably common on most of the weedy and 

 grassy tanks, throughout the country, especially when covered with the 

 lotus, walking easily on the leaves, and feeding chiefly on seeds and 

 vegetable matters. 



Irides blood red ; bill and frontal plate, cherry red ; legs pale brick 



