Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 6 (1902).djvu/453

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BIRDS COLLECTED IN BENGAL.
387

Cursorius coromandelicus, Gmel. (Indian Courser).—Very common in some parts during winter. They run very swiftly, and their flight resembles that of the Lapwing. They are excellent birds for the table.

Glareola lactea, Temm. (Small Indian Pratincole).—I have a pair of these birds given me by Mr. Inglis. I have never come across any myself.

Metopidius indicus, Lath. (Bronze-winged Jacana).—Not uncommon. They breed in weedy tanks in July and August.

Hydrophasianus chirurgus, Scop. (Pheasant-tailed Jacana).—Very common on all marshes. It breeds in July and August, and sometimes in September. They lay from three to four eggs. The cry of this bird resembles the "mewing" of a cat.

Sarcogrammus indicus, Bodd. (Red-wattled Lapwing).—Very common. Breeds from March to May. They are noisy birds, and are well known on account of their cry, which resembles the words "did he do it."

Sarciophorus malabaricus, Bodd. (Yellow-wattled Lapwing).—A rather scarce bird. I have not often seen it.

Hoplopterus ventralis, Wagl. (Indian Spur-winged Plover).—Very common on the banks of rivers. A nest found by Mr. Inglis's collectors in May contained two eggs.

Charadrius fulvus, Gmel. (Eastern Golden Plover).—Very common in some parts in winter. They are extremely wild birds, and difficult to approach.

Ægialitis mongolica, Pall. (Lesser Sand-Plover).—Common on ploughed lands, and on the banks of rivers.

Æ. alexandrina, Linn. (Kentish Plover).—A common cold weather migrant. A specimen shot by one of Mr. Inglis's collectors in April was in full breeding plumage.

Æ. dubia, Scop. (Little Ringed Plover).—Common on the banks of large rivers.

Himantopus candidus, Bonn. (Black-winged Stilt).—A common winter migrant.

Recurvirostra avocetta, Linn. (Avocet).—Rare. One brought to me by a native fowler in February, 1900.

Numenius arquata, Linn. (Curlew).—I shot one pair in February, 1900, and saw a few others.

Limosa belgica, Gmel. (Black-tailed Godwit).—Several seen