1840.] 



of the Peninsula of India. 



215 



Genus CEDICNEMUS, Cuv. 



SC)7.—(E. crepitans, Temm.— Char. CEdicnemus, L. — Burseree or Kur' 

 wanuk, H.— also sometimes Lumhee. — Bastard FloriMn of English. 



The TMck-lineed'plover of Europe is found all over the Peninsula, and 

 remains the whole year. It frequents the open stony plains — also bushy 

 tracts, and open spaces in jungly districts. Found in pairs, or in small 

 parties. When approached, it often conceals itself behind a bush or 

 stone, and sometimes squats close to the ground, and is with difficulty 

 seen. It feeds on various insects chiefly, also sometimes on seeds of 

 various kinds. It wanders much at night, and has a peculiar long shrill 

 piping note ; seldom heard except at this time — its usual cry, 

 being a single harsh creaking note. The Shikra {Accipiter Dukhunensis) 

 is often flown at this bird. Its flesh is of excellent flavour, and much 

 esteemed by some. 



Irides pale greenish yellow; legs pale olive. Length 16-17 inches; 

 wing 9 ; tail 4|- ; tarsus 3^^ ; bill at front If ; weight about 12 to 13 oz. 



368. — recurvirosiris, Swains., Lardn. Cych—Auhee, H. 



This curious bird which has been lately accurately described by'Swain- 

 son, is by no means common, and is only found by the sides of the larger 

 rivers, and tanks, and salt-water inlets, in pairs, sometimes two or three 

 pairs together. It feeds on various aquatic insects and their larvae. 

 Its cry of alarm is a loud harsh creakmg note, and like the last species, 

 it occasionally squats, when approached. 



Irides pale yellow ; bill black, yellow at base ; legs yellowish green. 

 Length 20 inches ; wing 11 ; tail 4| ; bill to front 2y\th? ; tarsus 3f. 



Genus TACHYDROMUS, 111. 



Sub Genus GLAREOLA, L.—Sivalluw Plover. 



369. — G. Orientalis, Leach. — Lesser or square-tailed Swallow Plover, 

 This neatly plumaged little bird is rare in most parts of Southern 



India. I have seen it occasionally in pairs, by the sides of tanks, run- 

 ning briskly along the edge, and picking up various small insects. I on one 

 occasion saw a large flock of them, apparently migrating from one dis- 

 trict to another, it was in the month of September, and near the extreme 

 south of the Peninsula. 



