is found only on meres and marshes. Many kinds of pheasants, silver, peacock, pie-back, crimson tragopan, Mrs Hume's, Anderson's silver, abound. The gorgeous argus pheasant is very rare. The Chinese francolin, well known by his call—"Have a drink Papa"—is the common partridge of the country; bamboo partridges and other kinds are also found. Pea fowl, jungle fowl, plover, golden and stone as well as others, the Burmese lapwing, familiar for its quaint call—"Did he do it?"—are plentiful. Button quail are widely distributed but not very abundant. Wood-cock may be shot in divers places but are somewhat scarce. Doves and pigeons, including imperial and many other species of green pigeon, are common.
Many kinds of waders, sandpipers, stints, and the curlew visit Burma in the winter months.
Of two or three kinds of vultures, the commonest are the white-backed, which in large flocks hover over carrion. Eagles are more rare but some half a dozen varieties have been seen, as well as harriers, goshawks, kites, sparrow-hawks, peregrines, kestrels, and ospreys. Cormorants of two or three species are in some abundance. The darter or snake bird is common and pelicans are noted in their season.
Herons, egrets, and bitterns are very abundant, the night heron and the pond heron (paddy bird) being among the best known. Adjutants or gigantic storks usually go in pairs but are sometimes seen in flocks; other species of storks and ibis frequent suitable localities.
Of birds of beautiful plumage may be specified the lovely and charmingly named fairy blue bird; several bulbuls; magpies; bright coloured minivets, including the gorgeous scarlet minivet called by the Burmese the prince bird, Hnget-mintha; half a dozen kinds of glowing orioles; the Burmese paradise fly catcher; resplendent sun birds of many species; broadbills; woodpeckers; blue jays; the Burmese night jar; kingfishers. Flocks of gay parroquets fly over fields and forests.
