248 
Capt. L. H. Irby on Birds 
killed two birds of this species, and saw a third; these are the 
only ones I noticed. At the time I could not make out what 
Goose it was, and was unable to find out, till I saw some alive in 
the Zoological Gardens, Regent's Park. It is probably very rare 
in India. 
199. Bernicla indica. (Barred Goose.) 
Exceedingly numerous in the cold season on the large rivers, 
such as the Gogra, Choka, and Korialla; is seldom seen on 
jheels, and is scarcely worth shooting for the pot. 
200. Dendrocygna arcuata. (“ Tree Duck," “ Whistling 
Teal," and “ Rain Teal" of Europeans.) 
Appears in great numbers at the commencement of the rainy 
season, and is then seen in pairs; towards the middle of the cold 
season they are seen in flocks of eight or ten—probably the old 
birds and their young. This Duck, when on the wing, has a 
peculiar whistling cry. It flies very heavily, shows no sport, and 
its flesh is dry and tasteless. The large species of Rain Teal 
(D. major) I did not observe in Oudh, but doubtless it occurs 
there. 
201. Sarcidiornis melanotus. 
This curious and handsomely-coloured Duck is not common 
in Oudh, and when observed was on jheels, not rivers. I saw 
it in May, June, and July; and once, in November, saw a small 
flock, all in the sombre plumage of immature males or females. 
The adult male, with the boss on the beak, I only observed four 
times. In all the family of Anatida there is probably no species 
in which there is such a difference in size between the male and 
female ; the former is nearly double the weight of the latter; 
when on the wing this difference is very apparent. The boss on 
the beak varies in size, probably according to the age of the 
bird; in the plate given in the f PI. Enl.' 937, the boss is smaller 
than most which I have seen. The flesh of this Duck is, unlike 
that of other Tree Ducks, very good. 
202. Nettapus coromandelicus. 
Very common; arriving about the same time as D. arcuata , 
but departing sooner. 
