Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 6 (1902).djvu/527

Rh species in four years. I do not think they are very common, but may be overlooked on account of their shy skulking habits. One of the birds I shot was only wounded, and made repeated savage thrusts at the man whom I sent to pick it up.

Anser indicus, Lath. (Barred-headed Goose).—Not a very plentiful bird anywhere in the district. It arrives in October, and stays sometimes till June.

Sarcidiornis melanonotus, Penn. (Comb Duck).—A small flock was seen by my brother at Dalsingh Serai in May, 1899, and one (a male) was shot. I happened to be away at the time, and the bird, which had been badly skinned by a native, was sent to me for identification, but arrived in a state of putrefaction.

Rhodonessa caryophyllacea, Lath. (Pink-headed Duck).—Mr. Oates, in his book on the 'Game Birds of India,' mentions Tirhoot as one place where this Duck is to be found. I never came across it myself, but Mr. Inglis writes me: "The man who brought me Duck and Teal described a bird, evidently this species, that was snared."

Casarca rutila, Pall. (Ruddy Sheldrake).—A common cold weather migrant, often staying on well into summer. They are, I have always found, extremely wary birds. Their flesh is not fit for the table, being very fishy in flavour.

Dendrocycna javanica, Horsf. (Whistling Teal).—A very common resident, often seen in flocks of many hundreds. They nest in trees during July and August.

Nettopus coromandelianus, Gmel. (Cotton Teal).—Very common on nearly all marshes. It breeds in July in the holes of trees.

Anas boscas, Linn. (Mallard).—Rare. A pair were shot out of two pairs on Hattowrie Lake, Darbhanga, in December, 1897, and I saw a solitary female at Dalsingh Serai in January, 1900, flying in company with some Gadwall.

A. pœcilorhyncha, Forst. (Spotted-billed Duck).—Mr. Inglis procured a specimen in June, 1900, and I saw a pair at Dalsingh Serai in June, 1901.

Eunetta falcata, Georgi (Bronze-capped Teal).—Mr. Inglis was fortunate enough to secure seven of this rare species in the Mudubuni district, Darbhanga, in January, 1900—two males and five females. He very kindly gave me the skin of one of the females.