206 Catalogue of the Birds [Oct. 



Genus GALLINULA. 



332.— G. akool, Sykes. — Indian Water Hen. 



This common bird is found chiefly in reeds and lonj grass, by the sides 

 ot tanks, rivers, and water- courses, and is flushed with difficulty. 



I have seen specimens exactly like those described by Sykes, others 

 in which the chin was entirely black, — and others in which there was 

 much white, extending down the middle of the abdomen. Th^se were 

 all from different localities, but most probably, were only different ages 

 of the same bird. There may, however, be several varieties, or it may 

 be distinct species. Length nearly 1 foot ; bill at gape 1 inch ; tarsus 

 J T 7 o ; middle toe and claw nearly 3 ; hind do. l T 2 g-. 



333. — G. Jacuhica, I lorsf., most probably the same as the G. phceni- 

 cura, — Daivuk, 11. — White-cheeked GaUinnle. 



This handsome bird is by no means uncommon in many parts of the 

 country, though seldom seen in some districts. It frequents bushes in 

 the neighbourhood of water or marshy spots — also gardens and hedges in 

 dry ground. Found both solitary, and in parties of 5 and 6. Feeds 

 upon insects of various kinds, both land and water. 



hi les red ; bill green, whitish at the tip ; legs greenish yellow ; dusky 

 behind. Length 12 inches ; bill at gape 1 J ; tarsus 2 r - ?r ths ; middle toe 

 and claw 2\ ; hind do. l T * ths. 



Family SCOLOPACID.E. — Snipes and Sand-pipers. 



Genls SCOLOPAX, L. 

 Srn Genus lUIYNCILEA.— Cuv. 



3M.— R.picta, Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc— R. capensis, Auct. — Painted 

 Snipe of Europeans in India. 



The Painted Snipe is a permanent resident in India, being found at all 

 seasons in suitable ground, viz. the grassy edges of tanks, marshes, inun- 

 dated paddy-fields, and the usual haunts of the common snipes. It, 

 however, appears in much greater numbers at the commencement of the 

 cold season, along with the other snipes, so probably the greater num- 

 ber breed towards the more northern part of India. This has, probably, 



