1859.] Itinerary in tlie district of Amherst, Tenasserim. 455 



The sexes are precisely similar in plumage and size. The flesh 

 rather dry and tasteless. 



In addition to the above 9 species, which I believe to be hitherto 

 uudescribed, I have the pleasure to forward to the Society two speci- 

 mens, male and female, of that little known bird, the Podica per- 

 sonata of G. R. Gray : who has named it from a specimen from. 

 Singapore sent to the British Museum by Lord Ellenborough. 



The following observations are taken from fresh subjects. 



Tribe. Ilacrodactyli. 



Family. JPulicidce — Genus Podica, species persokata (G.R.Gray). 



Spec. Male and Female, March and April 1859. Kokauee river, 

 near Moulmein. 



Dimensions. Male. Length 22". Spread of Wino;s 30'. Wing 9^'. 

 Tail 4£" Bill 2". Femur 3£. Tarsus 2". M toe 2f". Female, rather 

 smaller. 



Details. Body plump and flat as in Anas, not so heavy as in the 

 Grebes. Neck lengthened : but less so than in Heliornis. Legs so 

 far back as to compel a nearly upright position when the bird stands. 

 Wings and tail nearly as in Anas. Bill as in Gallicrex, longer than 

 in Ftjlica, straight, long, compressed, with rounded culmen. Tip 

 deflexed gradually, and without notch. Nostrils large, midway, ovo- 

 linear, horizontal, pierced at anterior end of a large membrane, 

 which is strongly relieved from culmen above and tomia below. 

 Gonys angulated and short. Gape deflexed and wide. Culmen 

 ends in a straight line across forehead, protruding a little flap on the 

 forehead (as in Parra), but smaller. (This quite disappears in the 

 dry skin.) Tongue linear and simple. Leg as in Fulica, pretty 

 stout in depth : but compressed laterally (not so much as in Podiceps), 

 narrow transverse scutse anteally, rest of leg and toes reticulated. 

 Toes long, the outer and middle ones subequal, inner one shortest. 

 All three lobated, the inner flap of inner toe being broadest. The 

 scallops (one to each phalaux) about as broad as in the Coot. 

 Thumb plain, reticulated, not very short. Claws hooked, long and 

 sharp. 



Wings tolerably ample, pointed, as is each remix. 3rd primary 



3n2 



