SQUATAROLA HELVETICA. 
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near Batticotta and along the coast of the peninsula. In October 1876 I saw one on the beach at Chilaw, 
and in the following month I acquired a specimen which was shot by a native at Kotte, near Colombo. The 
occurrences, therefore, which came under my personal notice fell within a single year; but as they 
extended over two seasons it is to be inferred that the species may possibly visit the island yearly in small 
numbers. 
In India it has been principally noticed on the coasts of the northern portions of the empire ; but 
Dr. Jerdon obtained it in the Madras market ; and as it is one of the most cosmopolitan birds in the world, it 
is sure to occur all round the peninsular sea-board. It is chiefly a sea-coast species ; but I find an instance 
of its occurrence inland in the Deccan, where the Rev. Dr. Fairbank observed it in flocks in the cold season. 
Neither Messrs. Ball nor Cripps say any thing of it ; but Mr. Hume remarks that a few are seen yearly in 
the Calcutta market. In the Irrawaddy delta Dr. Armstrong met with it only along the sandy portions of 
the beach between Elephant Point and China-Bakeer, where it was not uncommon. In Tenasserim it is 
rare; Captain Wardlaw Ramsay obtained it at Tonghoo, and Dr. Armstrong at Amherst. It is found, 
but not commonly, at the Andamans, occurring at Macpherson’s Straits and at Port Mouat, and was procured 
by Capt. Wardlaw Ramsay at South Andaman. In the nortli-w r est of India Mr. Hume found it abundant in 
Kurrachee harbour and along the Sindh coast in the cold season ; Captain Butler has seen it there during the 
hot weather, and he likewise remarks that it is abundant at Mandavee in the gulf of Cutch. Inland it 
only occurs during migration in autumn and spring. A remarkable instance of its occurrence in September 
in full breeding-plumage is noted by Mr. Adam, -who obtained such a specimen on the 25th of that month at 
the Sambhur Lake. This must have been an individual which migrated south before moulting, or one 
which acquired its nuptial dress after its migratory impulse had died out for that year. 
In Turkestan Severtzoff says that it occurs rarely in the south-eastern district up to 1000 feet elevation ; 
and in Kashgar Dr. Scully met with two examples in November, but did not see any thing more of the 
species. It summers in Northern Asia; but I do not see any record of its having been observed in North- 
western Siberia nor on the Yenesay. Towards the east, however, Von Middendorif met with it in very high 
latitudes, and found it breeding in the Byrranga mountains in lat. 74°, and on the Boganida river in lat. 71°; 
but it was not seen in those northerly regions before the 24th of May. In Amoor Land Von Schrenck 
met with it; and in Japan it is common, inhabiting also in summer the peninsula of Kamtchatka. It passes 
down the coast of China in winter, is found in Formosa and Hainan, and extends across to the Philippines, 
where it has been obtained in Cujo and Negros. Southward in winter it migrates through the Malay islands 
to New Guinea and the continent of Australia as far as Tasmania. In regard to the first-named region it 
has been obtained by several naturalists in Java and Borneo ; and in Labuan it was procured by Messrs. Mottley 
and Dillwyn, while recently Governor Ussher brought it home from Brunei river and Moara Island. In 
Timor, Wallace and Bernstein met with it ; and from New Guinea it is recorded by Muller. In Mr. Ramsay’s 
new list of Australian birds it is noted as being found at Rockingham Bay and all the southern colonies, as 
well as in the Richmond and Clarence-river districts. I do not find it recorded from New Caledonia or any 
of the islands of the Pacific, so that it does not seem to extend eastward of New Guinea. Returning to the 
west of Asia and Europe, wc find Canon Tristram recording it as a winter resident in Palestine; and 
Robson as not uncommon in Asia Minor in autumn, a few staying throughout the winter. Lord Lilford 
procured it in the Epirus ; and Lindermayer and Von der Miihle record it from Greece. In Malta, Sicily, 
and Sardinia it is a winter visitor; and in Spain, according to Mr. Saunders, is more common on passage 
than in winter ; he obtained it in May in breeding-plumage in Malaga. In Portugal it is said to be 
common. In the Gibraltar district Col. Irby says that it arrives in November, and, though frequently seen 
in autumn and spring, is not at any time abundant. On the 22nd May he obtained a pair at the mouth of 
the Guadiarro, the male of which was in full summer plumage, an unusual occurrence so far south. About 
this time it is passing north through Central European districts to its breeding-home on the Arctic circle. I n 
Transylvania it occurs on migration but rarely ; further east it appears to pass through Southern Russia 
and up the Volga, being noticed in occasional seasons in the Kasan district. From here Messrs. Seebolim 
and Harvie Brown say that it probably passes down the Petchora to about the mouth of its tributary the 
Ussa, and then spreads over the vast tundras to the north-east, on which these enterprising naturalists were 
so fortunate as to take its eggs a few years since. The latter author met with it likewise near Archangel, 
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