271 
Birds of Kohat and Kurram. 
I found numerous nests of this species in a marsh near 
Dandar, in the Kurram Valley. They are usually fairly well 
concealed in clumps of reeds or grass, and are merely hollows 
scantily lined with bits of these plants. The first eggs 
are laid about the middle of June, the clutch varying from 
five to seven. In colour they are creamy-white profusely 
spotted with pale red, and the average measurements are 
1*22 X *82 in. This species has brought the art of skulking 
to a high state of perfection, and it is only when the young 
have emerged from the shell that it shews itself at all. 
[14-02.] Gallinula chloropus. The Water-ITen. 
Ward, J. B. N. H. S. xvii. p. 945 (Kashmir). 
A rather scarce winter visitor to Kohat; more numerous 
at Dhand than elsewhere. It occurs chiefly on migration in 
March and April, when it is frequently caught. It breeds 
iu the Kurram Valley in small numbers. I found a nest at 
Dandar on the 9th of July. 
[1405.] Fulica atra. The Coot. 
Marshall, J. B. N. II. S. xv. p. 353 (Quetta: common in 
winter) ; Fulton, op. cit. xvi. p. 62 (Chitral: shot in March 
at Drosh) ; Gumming, t. c. p. 693 (Seistan : a common 
resident) ; Ward, op. cit. xvii. p. 945 (Kashmir). 
Abundant on Dhand tank throughout the cold weather, 
occurring also in other suitable places in small numbers. I 
met with a pair near Laclii as late as the 20th of May, so 
that a few are probably resident. 
[1407.] Grus communis. The Common Crane. 
Rattray, J. B. N. H. S. xii. p. 345 (passes over Thall in 
great numbers : often driven back after storms). 
Large flocks pass over the District from the third week in 
February till the end of March, returning in August and 
September, but rarely halting except in the Latammar 
Nullah or at Dhodha. 
Residents at Parachinar say that Cranes on migration flv 
straight over the Safed Koh Range (lowest point ll,760feet) 
and not round the western shoulder, but that they are fre¬ 
quently forced to turn back by storms. Major Magrath, too, 
