BIRDS COLLECTED IN BENGAL. 385 



Mr. Inglis records having seen another at Hattowrie Factory, 

 Darbhanga. 



Cotumix communis, Bonn. (Common Quail). — Common 

 in February and March, though the year (1901) was remark- 

 able for its scarcity of Quail. I never saw a single specimen, 

 neither were any brought me by native fowlers. Some are 

 probably resident. Mr. Inglis procured one egg laid by a 

 captive bird. 



C. coromandelica, Gmel. (Black-breasted Quail). — Two eggs of 

 this species taken in September by Mr. Rawlins, of this district, 

 and sent to me. Several birds of this species were shot at 

 Dalsingh Serai, so I have been informed, many years ago. 



Francolinus vulgaris, Steph. (Black Partridge). — Usually one 

 or more pairs are to be found in any grass jungle during the 

 cold weather, but in summer they scatter, and are found among 

 crops. They are the best birds I know at running, and are 

 very difficult to flush, reminding one of the English Corn- 

 Crake in this respect. They are very fair eating if hung for 

 a day or two. One bird I shot had a number of large black 

 ants in the crop. 



F. pondicerianus, Gmel. (Grey Partridge). — A rather scarce 

 bird, and I have only shot it twice. 



Turnix dussumieri, Temm. (Little Button-Quail). — Mr. Inglis 

 informs me that he had a pair of this species snared at Jainagar. 



T. tanki, Blyth (Indian Button-Quail). — Not often seen, 

 probably on account of its shy skulking nature. 



Porzana pusilla (Eastern Ballion's Crake). — A male of this 

 species was snared by native fowlers at Hurnella Jheel, Dar- 

 bhanga, and brought to Mr. Inglis, who afterwards gave me the 

 skin. 



Rallus aquaticus, Linn. (Common Water-Rail). — One speci- 

 men (a male) was shot by me at Hattowrie Factory, Darbhanga, 

 on Feb. 12th, 1898. The only other places where this bird has 

 been recorded from India are Gilgit (Scully), Kulu (Hay), and 

 Dera Dun (Hume). Mr. R. George killed a specimen near 

 Skikarpur ('Fauna of Brit. Ind., Birds,' vol. iv. p. 160). One 

 (a female) procured by Mr. Jesse at Lucknow was recorded in 

 the ' Field.' 



R. indicus (Indian Water-Rail). — A Rail, which I think 



