RHYNCIEEA CAPENSIS. 
803 
also from Raipur. Mr. Cripps believes it to be a permanent species in Furreedpore. At the Sambhur Lake it 
is found in the rains ; but in Sindh it is only a cold-season straggler, though in Guzerat it is more plentiful at 
that time. Captain Butler, who writes of it as common there, says that it arrives at the end of August, and 
breeds in September and October near Ahmedabad and Erinpoora. Captain Ilayes-Lloyd considers it to be a 
permanent bird in Kattiawar. Turning eastwards I find that it is not recorded as ascending the Himalayas ; but 
in Cachar it is, according to Mr. Inglis, rare ; and in Burmah, according to Mr. Oates, it is common. Further 
south we find it rarer ; in the Rangoon district Captain Wardlaw Ramsay has procured it, and at Moulmein it has 
been shot by Captain Bingham. We have no data of its occurrence in the Malay Peninsula ; but it doubtless 
will be some day added to its avifauna. In Sumatra it was obtained by Sir Stamford Raffles and by Herr S. 
Muller. In Java it was observed by Horsfield, Boie, Kuhl, and Van Ilassclt ; and Croockwit has added it to 
the avifauna of Borneo. It was first obtained in the Philippines by Cuming, hut the locality is unknown ; 
recently, however, it was procured in the island of Mindanao at Zamboanga, by the officers of H.M.S. ‘ Chal- 
lenger. 5 Returning towards the continent we find Swinlioe recording it from Hainan and from Formosa, in 
the latter of which islands it was tolerably common. He obtained it at Amoy, and notes in his Catalogue 
(P. Z. S. 1871) that it is found throughout China in the summer. In the Japanese islands it breeds on 
Fujisan, as noticed by Messrs. Blakiston and Pryer, and is also found at Tokio and at Yokohama. Von 
Siebold also procured it in Japan. Prjevalsky met with it in S.E. Mongolia, and found it breeding at 
Lake Tsaidemin-nor. 
I find no statement of it inhabiting Western Asia save that of Antinori that it occurs in Asia Minor ; 
but in uniting the African species with it, we find the Painted Snipe common in portions of Northern Africa, 
whence Messrs. Shelley, Taylor, and Gurney have recorded it. In the ‘ Birds of Egypt ’ the former gentleman 
writes, “This species ranges throughout Egypt and Nubia, and is not uncommon at times in the Delta and 
the Fayoom, where it may occasionally be met with in flocks, though more often singly. It remains in the 
country throughout the year, and breeds in May. 55 Both sexes, especially the female, are very well figured in 
Captain Shelley's excellent plate. In West Abyssinia Von Heuglin obtained it in February, and he remarks 
that it is very common in Lower Egypt; in the coast districts Mr. Blanford got it, and Brehm and 
Vierthaler observed it on the Blue Nile in December. Von Heuglin also found it breeding in May in the 
Abuzabel district. Following it down the east coast, we find it recorded from Mozambique and also from 
Madagascar. In the latter island Mr. E. Newton records it as met with by him from Andoviranto on the 
east coast to Ambohitroni, and also at Soamandrikazay ; and Dr. S. Roch procured it at Farafata. Mr. Ayres 
speaks of its occurrence in the Transvaal ; and Mr. Barratt obtained it near Potchefstrooin. In Cape Colony 
Layard procured it ; and Andersson added it to the birds of Damara Land. In Western Africa it was obtained 
by Hartlaub; and I find it recorded by Von Heuglin from Senegal, Bissao, Gaboon, Gambia, Benguela, and 
Angola, which widely-separated localities, as will be seen by a glance at the map, give it a vast range on the 
west coast of the continent. 
Habits. — This very interesting species resembles in its mode of life and habits the Rails more than the 
Snipes, and, indeed, may be considered to form a link between the two families. It is particularly fond of 
rushy and reedy marshes, but is found in paddy-fields as well ; and it generally selects a somewhat secluded 
locality, such as the corner of a large swamp or paddy-field, in which several individuals, hut more often a pair, 
will be found, while for miles round not another individual will be met with. As a rule, it is found not far from 
water — that is, if there be any ponds, ditches, or wet places in the fields which it frequents. It is very often 
flushed singly, but in reality associates, as a rule, in pairs, one bird of which is frequently passed over, as it 
lies very close and will not rise until nearly trodden upon. It then flies straight away, with rather slow flappings 
of its ample wings, and suddenly drops, like a Jack Snipe, into the grass. It is frequently missed by good 
shots when, after banging away at quick-flying Snipe, they unexpectedly flush one of these birds and do not 
allow for its much slower flight. It not uncommonly enters the water when winged, and swims well. 
Mr. Fisher writes me, “ When walking up wounded and unwounded birds I have seen these Snipe take to the 
water and swim several yards across to ground further on, in their endeavours to hide themselves." 
Mr. Young, of the Survey Department, likewise tells me that he once saw two young birds swimming across 
a pond after their parents were flushed, with the hen bird flying round them in a great state of alarm. 
5 L 
