428 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



to obtain. The diving powers of these birds are astonishing. I 

 know of no bird that can touch them in this (except, of course, 

 the big sea-divers), though Hume says the Smew dives even better. 

 I doubt it. 



The Little Grebe (P. albipennis) was a common resident, and 

 bred during July and August. The Purple Moorhen (Porphyrio 

 poliocephalus) was common, and in August constructed huge 

 nests of paddy or rice. The pretty little Water Pheasant {Hydro- 

 phasianus chirurgus), whose plaintive mewing cry must be 

 familiar to all Bengal sportsmen, was plentiful, and made a 

 nest amid the lotus leaves and rice. 



Fishing near the shallows were numerous species of Terns, 

 the most common being the Whiskered Tern (Hydrochelidon 

 hybrida), which bred somewhere near at hand. Feeding on the 

 mud were numerous small Waders, as Sandpipers, Black-winged 

 Stilts, &c. Once or twice I have shot Curlews, but they were 

 very shy and difficult to approach, and always had a sentinel 

 posted to warn them of any danger or suspicious object. 



Three species of Snipe are found here : the Common Snipe 

 {Gallinago coslestis), the Pintail (G. sternura), and the little 

 "Jack" (G. gallinula). 



One of the most familiar of all Indian birds is the little Pond 

 Heron, or Paddy Bird (Ardeola grayi), and is to be found quietly 

 fishing by nearly every piece of water. I once had the good 

 fortune to secure the Great White Heron (Herodias alba). I 

 never came across another. It was by this marsh that I first 

 made the acquaintance of the Bittern (Botaurus stellaris), and 

 narrowly escaped having my hand run through with its powerful 

 bill, when I went to pick it up after shooting, before it was dead. 



Kingfishers of four species are met with, namely, our own 

 Alcedo ispida, the White-breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis), 

 the Stork-billed (Pelargopsis gurial), and Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle 

 varia). The last-named species catches its prey like a Kestrel, 

 first hovering over it, and then, with a quick downward plunge, 

 securing the fish, which it swallows while on the wing. 



