Descriptive List of the Common Birds of the Plains of India
NOTES
F. stands for _The Fauna of British India_, and the number which follows
indicates the number of the bird in _The Fauna of British India_. J.
stands for Jerdon’s _Birds of India_, and the number that follows
indicates the number of the bird in Jerdon’s work.
In describing a bird its size is a matter of importance as an aid to
identification; but as the statement that a bird is six inches in length
probably does not convey to the average person a definite idea of its
size, I have adopted another system of indicating the size of each bird
described. I have taken five standards of size, each being that of a
familiar bird, and have described each species in terms of these
standards, which are:
I. The common sparrow, 6 inches in length.
II. The bulbul, 8-9 inches in length.
III. The myna, 10 inches in length.
IV. The Indian house crow, 17½ ins. in length.
V. The kite, 23 inches in length.
My system is as follows. If A be a bird of which the length is 5 inches,
I affix in a bracket -I, which means that is a bird smaller than a
sparrow; if it be 6 inches in length I affix simply I; if it be 7 inches
in length I affix +I, denoting that it is larger than a sparrow, but
smaller than a bulbul, and nearer to the sparrow than the bulbul in
dimensions; had its length been 7½ inches I should have described it as
-II, i.e. rather smaller than a bulbul. By these means he who consults
this book will at once be able to form a rough conception of the size of
each species described. Those who desire more details will find them in
_The Fauna of British India_. In this connection it is worthy of mention
that certain small birds, as, for example, the adult cock paradise
flycatcher, have very long tails. Such a bird, if measured from the tip
of his beak to the end of his tail (as ornithologists usually do), would
have to be described as -V, i.e. as a bird rather smaller than a kite,
but this would convey a very misleading idea of the magnitude of the
bird, the body of which is about the same size as that of the bulbul. I
shall accordingly describe the paradise flycatcher as II, i.e. a bird of
the same size as the bulbul, but shall note that the cock has a very long
tail.
In cases where birds build very characteristic nests or have very
characteristic songs or habits, I shall mention these as aids to
identification. It must be remembered that this little book is not a
natural history of birds, but merely a key to the identification of our
commoner Indian feathered friends. Having identified a bird, the reader
should refer to some other writer for information regarding its habits,
etc.
In order to simplify identification I shall roughly indicate the
distribution of each species. If nothing is said about the distribution
of any bird this means that it may be found anywhere in the plains of
India. If a species occurs in all parts save one or more the words “Not
found in ——” will occur in the description. If the distribution be local,
the description will contain the words “Found in ——.”
As a further aid to identification I have, in all cases in which a
species has been figured in any book which is easily procurable, stated
where the picture of the bird is to be found. Most stations in India
boast of a library of sorts, which is likely to contain some, at any
rate, of the books referred to. In order to save space I have used
abbreviations for the titles. Thus (Illus. F. I., p. 298) means that a
picture of the bird in question will be found on page 298 of Volume I of
the bird volume of _The Fauna of British India_.
_List of abbreviations used_
B. B. _The Common Birds of Bombay_, by Eha.
B. C. _The Birds of Calcutta_ (2nd Edition), by Finn.
B. D. _Bombay Ducks_, by Dewar.
B. P. _Birds of the Plains_, by Dewar.
F. I. _Fauna of British India_ (Birds, Vol. I.).
F. II. Ditto, ditto, Vol. II.
F. III. Ditto, ditto, Vol. III.
F. IV. Ditto, ditto, Vol. IV.
G. B. _Garden and Aviary Birds of India_, by Finn.
I. F. _Some Indian Friends and Acquaintances_, by Cunningham.
I. D. _Indian Ducks and Their Allies_, by Stuart Baker.
I. G. I. _Game Birds of India, Burma, and Ceylon_, Vol. I., Marshall
and Hume.
I. G. II. Ditto, ditto, ditto, Vol. II.
I. G. III. Ditto, ditto, ditto, Vol. III.
_The Crows_, 1-4
1. _Corvus machrorhynchus_: The Jungle Crow or the Indian Corby. (F. 4),
(J. 660), (+IV.)
Glossy black all over. Nests from March to May. Nest a large structure
placed high up in a tree. Not found in the N.W. Punjab, where it is
replaced by the next species. (Illus. B. D., p. 60; also B. B., p. 117,
and I. F., p. 61.)
2. _Corvus corax_: The Raven. (F. 1), (J. 657), (V.)
Glossy black all over. Found only in the N.W.F. province and the western
parts of the Punjab.
3. _Corvus splendens_: The Indian House Crow, or the Grey-necked Crow.
(F. 7), (J. 663), (IV.)
Like a jackdaw in marking and appearance. Glossy black, except for nape,
neck, upper back and breast, which are ashy brown. (The hue of this ashy
brown varies considerably with the locality, being lightest in the
Punjab.) Nesting season May to July, or later. Nest like that of 1. In
Burma this species is replaced by the next. (Illus. B. D., p. 168; also
B. P., p. 190, and B. B., p. 117.)
4. _Corvus insolens_: The Burmese House Crow. (F. 8), (IV.)
A form of _C. splendens_ in which the neck plumage is nearly as dark as
that of the other parts.
5. _Dendrocitta rufa_: The Indian Tree-pie. (F. 16), (J. 674), (+II, but
with tail a foot in length.)
Head, neck, and breast brownish black; body chestnut; silver-grey on the
wings. Tail greyish with broad black band at the tip. During flight the
tail assumes a curious shape owing to the fact that the feathers which
compose it are graduated in length; the median pair is twelve inches
long, the next pair is shorter, and so on, the outer pair being only
about half the length of the median pair. This bird has a curious
metallic call which may be syllabised _coch-lee, coch-lee_, or _cogee,
cogee_. It also emits a great variety of harsh cries. Breeds from April
to August. The nest is a large cup high up in a tree.
(Does not appear to occur in or about the towns of Bombay and Madras.)
(Illus. B. C., p. 10, but the illustration is not a good one, a better
idea is given in F. I., p. 10, where an allied species is figured.)
_The Babblers_, 6-10
6. _Argya caudata_: The Common Babbler, or Striated Bush-babbler, or
Rat-bird. (F. 105), (J. 438), (II.)
A dingy brown bird; upper plumage darker than the lower. In each feather
there is a dark line along the shaft which causes the bird to have a
streaked appearance. It goes about in pairs, or in small flocks. It feeds
largely on the ground. When it runs, its tail (which is about 4½ inches
long, i.e. half the total length of the bird) seems to trail on the
ground like that of a rat, hence one of its names. Its note is not
unpleasant. It nests chiefly in the hot weather. The nursery is a neatly
constructed cup, which is invariably placed in a low bush. Its eggs are
pale blue.
Does not appear to occur in the neighbourhood of Calcutta, Bombay, or
Madras. Addicted to arid parts of India.
7-9. _The Crateropus Babblers, or “Seven Sisters.”_
These are all untidy-looking, earthy-brown birds about the size of mynas.
They go about in little flocks, whence the name “Seven Sisters,” or
“_Sath Bhai_.” They feed largely on the ground, seeking for insects among
dead leaves. While feeding they keep up a constant chatter which every
now and then grows very loud, sounding like a combination of a squeak and
the groans of a revolving axle that requires to be oiled. They
continually jerk the tail, which has the appearance of being very loosely
inserted. So untidy-looking are these birds that Eha likens them to “Old
Jones, who spends the day in his pyjamas.” Their flight is feeble and
laborious. Three species are common:
7. _Crateropus canorus_: The Jungle Babbler. (F. 110), (J. 432), (III.)
This bird is abundant in Northern India, and becomes rarer in the south,
where it is largely replaced in the plains by the two next species.
(Illus. B. C., p. 15.)
At Allahabad the Large Grey Babbler (_Argya malcomi_) (F. 107) or
_Gangai_, is more abundant even than _C. canorus_. It may be recognised
by its long tail. The three outer pairs of tail feathers are white—very
conspicuous during flight. The note is a loud harsh _quey, quey, quey_.
The bird is commoner than I thought. It occurs in most districts of the
U.P.
8. _Crateropus griseus_: The White-headed Babbler. (F. 111), (J. 433),
(III.)
This is the common babbler of the Madras presidency. It is easily
recognised by the greyish white crown of its head. (Illus. B. D., p.
204.)
9. _Crateropus somervillii_: The Rufous-tailed Babbler. (F. 113), (J.
435), (III.)
The common babbler of Bombay and Poona. It is the least untidy-looking of
the babblers, and may be recognised by the distinctly reddish hue of its
tail.
All three species of babblers build neat cup-shaped nests not far above
the ground and lay beautiful blue eggs. (Illus. B. B., p. 80.)
10. _Pyctorhis sinensis_: The Yellow-eyed Babbler. (F. 139), (J. 385),
(+I.)
This is considerably smaller than the other babblers described. Its
general colour is cinnamon brown. The eyebrows, throat, and breast are
white. The under parts are cream-coloured. The eye is bright yellow. It
emits a sweet note and builds a beautiful nest. This last is in shape not
unlike the hat worn by a political officer in full dress. It measures
about five inches in depth and is usually slung by its broadest part on
to two or more growing reeds, heads of millet, stout grass stems, or
perhaps more frequently to a forked branch.
11. _Myiophoneus horsfieldi_: The Malabar Whistling Thrush, or Idle
Schoolboy. (F. 189), (J. 342), (+III.)
A black bird with large cobalt blue patches on the forehead and the
wings. Small patches of the same hue occur on other parts of the body.
Not found in the N.W. Frontier Province, the Punjab, United Provinces,
Bengal, or the eastern portion of Madras. Usually occurs in the
neighbourhood of shaded streams. Its note is a striking whistle.
12. _Zosterops palpebrosa_: The Indian White-eye, or Spectacle Bird. (F.
226), (J. 631), (-I.)
A greenish yellow bird, with bright yellow throat and a patch of yellow
under the tail. The rest of the lower plumage is greyish white. The most
noticeable feature of the bird is a ring of white feathers round the eye.
Hence its popular name. White-eyes go about in large flocks; they feed
largely on insects which they pick from off the leaves of trees. Each
individual utters unceasingly a cheeping note. At the nesting season,
which is usually at the beginning of the hot weather, the cock sings a
sweet little song. The nest is a beautiful little cup suspended from a
forked branch. Two pale blue eggs are usually laid. (Illus. G. B., p.
96.)
13. _Ægithina tiphia_: The Common Iora. (F. 243), (J. 468), (-I.)
_Cock_: (_a_) In summer upper plumage, wings, and tail are black; lower
parts bright yellow. There are two white bars in the wing.
(_b_) In winter the black parts of the head and back are replaced by
yellowish green.
_Hen_: Upper parts, wings, and tail green; lower parts yellow. Two white
bars in the wing.
This species has a sweet song. It does not occur in the Frontier Province
or the Punjab. “A little bird,” writes Eha, “like a tomtit, in black and
yellow, followed by its mate in green and yellow, can be nothing else
than the Iora.” Builds at the beginning of the hot weather a very neat
and tiny cup-shaped nest. (Illus. B. B., p. 91, also G. B., p. 64.)
_The Bulbuls_, 14-22
14. _Chloropsis Jerdoni._ The Common Green Bulbul, or Jerdon’s
Chloropsis. (F. 252), (J. 463), (-II.)
A beautiful emerald green bird. There is a patch of yellow on the
forehead. The cock has the sides of the head, chin, and throat black, and
a purple-blue moustache. The black of the male is replaced by bluish
green in the hen.
Does not occur in the Frontier Province, the Punjab, Rajputana, Bengal,
or the northern and western portions of the United Provinces. It is
essentially a bird of Central and Southern India, but rare on the east
coast. It affects well-wooded parts of the country. (Illus. G. B., p.
96.)
_The Red-vented Bulbuls_, 15-18
Head black with short crest; remainder of plumage brown, each feather
having a narrow margin of a lighter hue. The tail is tipped with white,
and there is a white patch above the tail. A conspicuous crimson patch
under the tail. Bulbuls go about in pairs and constantly emit a cheery
note. They build neat cup-shaped nests, frequently in plants in the
verandahs of houses. When the nest is approached by a human being the
parent birds set up a loud chattering. These bulbuls occur all over
India, but ornithologists divide them into several species:
15. _Molpastes hæmorrhous_: The Madras Red-vented Bulbul. (F. 278), (J.
462), (II.)
The common bulbul of South India, as far North as Lucknow. (Illus. B. D.,
p. 296; also B. B., p. 87.)
16. _Molpastes burmanicus_: The Burmese Red-vented Bulbul. (F. 279),
(II.)
The common bulbul of Burma.
17. _Molpastes bengalensis_: The Bengal Red-vented Bulbul. (F. 282), (J.
461), (II.)
The common bulbul of Eastern Oudh, the Bengals, and Assam. (Illus. B. C.,
p. 22.)
18. _Molpastes intermedius_: The Punjab Red-vented Bulbul. (F. 283), (J.
II., p. 95) (II.)
The common bulbul of the Frontier Province, the Punjab, and the province
of Agra.
[At the points where the various species or races of red-vented bulbuls
meet they interbreed, so that at Lucknow and other points of junction it
is not possible to assign the local bulbuls to any of the above species.]
19. _Molpastes leucotis_: The White-eared Bulbul. (F. 285), (J. 459),
(-II.)
This species differs from the Red-vented Bulbuls in its somewhat smaller
size, its shorter crest and in having a large white patch on each side of
the head, and the patch of feathers under the tail yellow instead of
crimson.
Found only in the north-west portion of India. In the cold weather its
range extends into the Province of Agra and the C. P., but in the spring
it migrates to the west and breeds in Sind, the Frontier Province, and
the Western Districts of the Punjab. Its nests have also been taken in
Rajputana, Katywar, and Cutch. (Illus. G. B., p. 96; also F. I., p. 252.)
_The Red-whiskered Bulbuls,_ 20 _and_ 21
These sprightly and handsome birds are characterised by their long
crests, which end in a point and project forward, like Mr. Punch’s cap.
The head and crest are black, but each cheek is characterised by a large
white and a small crimson patch, hence the name “red-whiskered.” The
upper plumage is earthy brown. The tail feathers are somewhat darker
brown and are tipped with white. The breast and lower plumage are white.
The breast is separated from the abdomen by a conspicuous band of black
feathers known as the collaret. There is a crimson patch of feathers
under the tail.
20. _Otocompsa emeria_: The Bengal Red-whiskered Bulbul. (F. 288), (J.
460), (II.)
Found in Northern and Eastern India, and Burma. (Illus. B. P., p. 230;
also B. C., p. 26.)
21. _Otocompsa fuscicaudata_: The Southern Red-whiskered Bulbul. (F.
289), (J. 460), (II.)
Found chiefly in the south-western portion of India, more especially in
the hills. This is the common bulbul of all our South-Indian hill
stations.
This species is distinguishable from _Emeria_ in that it has a complete
collaret. In _Emeria_ the black collaret is interrupted in front.
Both the _Molpastes_ and the _Otocompsa_ bulbuls build neat cup-shaped
nests in trees and shrubs in gardens. Not infrequently they nest in
plants growing in pots placed in the verandah. (Illus. B. D., p. 296;
also B. B., p. 87.)
22. _Pycnonotus luteolus_: The White-browed Bulbul. (F. 305), (J. 452),
(-II.)
A dull greenish brown bird, having no crest. It has a white eyebrow, and
the patch of feathers under the tail is pale yellow.
It occurs only in Southern India and is exceedingly common in the
vicinity of Madras. It frequents gardens and utters a variety of very
cheery little notes, and has, therefore, been called “the blithest little
bird in existence.” It does not show itself very much in the open, being
heard much more frequently than seen. It builds a cup-shaped nest in a
bush or low tree.
_The Nuthatches_, 23 _and_ 24
Nuthatches are little climbing birds characterised by very short tails.
They go about in small flocks and run up and down the trunks and branches
of trees with great address, picking up small insects. They also, as
their name implies, feed upon nuts. They nest in holes of trees,
frequently closing up a portion of the aperture with mud. (Illus. F. I.,
p. 298.)
23. _Sitta castaneiventris_: The Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch. (F. 321), (J.
250), (-I.)
Upper plumage dark greyish blue. A broad black band runs from the beak,
through the eye and down the side of the head. The other parts of the
cheek are white. The lower plumage is dark chestnut-red, as denoted by
the popular name of the bird. (The lower parts of the hen are of a
lighter hue.) Distribution: U. P., C. P., C. I., and western parts of
Bengal.
24. _Sitta frontalis_: The Velvet-fronted Blue Nuthatch. (F. 325), (J.
253), (-I.)
Upper plumage dark blue, the cock having a velvet-like black forehead and
a black streak through the eye; throat whitish; lower parts greyish.
Not found in the Punjab.
_The Drongos_, 25-27
25. _Dicrurus ater_: The Black Drongo, or King Crow. (F. 327), (J. 278),
(II, but with a tail six inches long.)
Jet black all over, with a long-forked tail. One of the most familiar of
Indian birds. It frequently perches on telegraph wires, or on the backs
of cattle. It makes little flights after insects and then returns to its
perch. Its call is very cheery and is heard most often at earliest dawn.
It breeds in the hot weather; the nest is a small cup, wedged into the
fork of a lofty branch. The oriole and the dove frequently nest in the
same tree.
Found all over India, but only a summer visitor to the Frontier Province
and the Western Punjab, and a winter visitor to Assam. (Illus. B. D.,
frontispiece; also I. F., p. 148, and B. B., p. 1.)
26. _Dicrurus cærulescens_: The White-bellied Drongo. (F. 330), (J. 281),
(II, but with long-forked tail.)
Very like the King Crow (No. 25) in appearance, save that it is a little
smaller and its plumage is deep indigo instead of glossy black (but it
looks black from a distance). The breast is grey and the abdomen white.
This bird, although nowhere common in India, is found in all parts save
the N.W. F. P., the Punjab, and the eastern portion of Bengal.
27. _Dissemurus paradiseus_: The Larger Racket-tailed Drongo. (F. 340),
(J. 284), (II, but with a tail 20 inches long.)
Glossy black all over. The head is decorated by a large
backwardly-directed crest. The two outer tail feathers are a foot and a
half in length; on the inner side of the shaft there is scarcely any web,
while the web on the outer shaft grows longer as it nears the tip of the
feather. These elongated outer feathers are turned upwards and outwards
at the tip.
Confined almost entirely to forests, and hence is very rarely seen in the
plains.
_The Warblers_, 28-33
28. _Orthotomus sutorius_: The Indian Tailor Bird. (F. 374), (J. 530),
(-I.)
A tiny brownie bird not unlike a wren with a respectable tail. Close
inspection shows that the forehead is reddish, the back of the head grey,
and the back brown, tinged with green. The lower plumage is dirty creamy
white. There is a short black bar on each side of the neck, visible only
when the bird stretches its neck to utter its note, but as the bird is
continually calling loudly _to-wee, to-wee, to-wee_, a little watching
will soon reveal the black patch on the side of the neck.
In the hot weather the two middle tail feathers of the cock exceed the
others in length by fully two inches. These projecting, bristle-like tail
feathers render it very easy to recognise the cock tailor bird in
breeding plumage.
The tailor bird is essentially a denizen of the compound, and frequently
nests in the verandah. The nest is a wonderful structure. The walls are
growing leaves, the edges of which the bird draws together by means of
cotton or fibre. The nest is cosily lined with cotton-down. The tailor
bird pierces in places the leafy wall of its nest and pushes some of the
lining through these tiny apertures in order to keep the lining _in
situ_. The nest should be looked for in the hot weather. (Illus. B. B.,
p. 103; also G. B., p. 64.)
29. _Hypolais rama_: Sykes’s Tree-warbler. (F. 394), (J. 553), (-I.)
This, too, is a dull-coloured little brownie bird. It visits India in
great numbers in the winter, and is said to breed in Sind. In colouring
it is much like the tailor bird, but it is more solidly built and has a
narrow cream-coloured eyebrow. A little brown bird which is not the
tailor bird, or one of the wren-warblers described below, is likely to be
this species.
30. _Prinia lepida_: The Streaked Wren-warbler. (F. 462), (J. 550), (-I.)
Brown above and cream-coloured below. This little bird is easily
distinguished from the other long-tailed wrens, by the fact that its
upper plumage is streaked with dark brown. The brown tail shows cross
bars. The tip of each tail feather is white and next to this is a black
patch.
This bird is common in the Punjab and in Sind. It also occurs in
Rajputana and in the valley of the Ganges.
It builds a neat ball-like nest with an entrance at the side. The nest is
usually situated at a few inches from the ground. Several are to be found
in April and May amid the wild indigo that grows on the Lahore golf
links. The green eggs have a distinct ring of reddish dots at the thick
end.
31. _Prinia socialis_: The Ashy Wren-warbler. (F. 464), (J. 534), (-I.)
Another “tiny brownie bird.” Ashy upper plumage with brown wings and
tail, lower plumage cream-coloured. A very slender and loosely-knit bird.
It is easily distinguished by the curious snapping noise it makes as it
flits from bush to bush. How this noise is made we do not know. It sounds
as though it were due to the upper and lower mandibles of the beak
closing sharply together.
This species constructs two types of nests—one is like that of the Tailor
Bird (No. 28), the other is a ball-like woven structure with an entrance
at the side. The nest is invariably placed near the ground. The eggs are
mahogany red. Does not occur in the N.W. F. P.
32. _Prinia inornata_: The Indian Wren-warbler. This bird is known as the
weaver-bird to boys who attend Indian schools. (F. 466), (J. 543), (-I.)
This species differs so little in appearance from the last that except
for the snapping noise it is almost impossible to distinguish them unless
held in the hand and compared. This species has rusty-coloured thighs,
and these may serve to distinguish it from the last species.
It builds a nicely-woven ball-like nest, which is frequently attached to
growing corn, and the parent birds sometimes have their work cut out in
rearing up their brood before the crop is cut. Eggs greenish with red and
brown blotches.
Found in N. India. At the Nilgiris this species meets the next.
33. _Prinia Jerdoni_: The Southern Wren-warbler. (F. 467), (J. 544),
(-I.)
This is the South Indian form of No. 32, and has very much the same
habits and appearance as the last species. (Illus. B. B., p. 103.)
_The Shrikes, or Butcher Birds_, 34-37
The shrikes form a well-marked family of birds. Their habit is to sit on
an exposed perch and from thence pounce on to some insect on the ground.
Thus their habits are like those of some birds of prey. Their hooked and
notched beaks and the broad black band that runs from the base of the
beak through the eye gives them a very sinister appearance. They have a
variety of notes.
34. _Lanius lahtora_: The Indian Grey Shrike. (F. 469), (J. 256), (+II.)
Upper parts French grey; forehead black; broad black band from base of
beak, through eye and down the side of the neck. Tail black and white;
wings black with conspicuous white bar. Breast and lower plumage white.
Sind, Punjab, U. P., C. P., and Western Bengal.
The nest of this and of the other species of butcher bird is a deep cup,
placed usually in a thorny tree, often close up against the trunk. Not
infrequently bits of rag hang down from the nest and serve to locate its
whereabouts. The eggs have a stone-coloured background with brownish
blotches, which often form a ring near the large end. (Illus. B. B., p.
70; also F. I., p. 454.)
35. _Lanius vittatus_: The Bay-backed Shrike. (F. 473), (J. 260), (-II.)
Forehead and broad band through the eye black. Head pale grey, back
maroon, rump white; wings black with a white bar, which is conspicuous
during flight. Tail black and white, median feathers black, outer ones
white; lower parts white with a reddish-yellow tinge on the breast.
36. _Lanius erythronotus_: The Rufous-backed Shrike. (F. 476), (J. 257),
(+II.)
Although larger than the last species, this bird is very like it in
colouring. It may, however, be distinguished by the fact that it has no
white in the tail. The rump is the same colour as the lower back and not
white as in 35.
37. _Lanius cristatus_: The Brown Shrike. (F. 481), (J. 261), (-II.)
This species is distinguishable from the above three shrikes by the fact
that it lacks the white wing bar which makes the others so conspicuous
during flight. A reddish-brown bird with white cheeks and throat and a
whitish eyebrow.
Unlike the other butcher birds this species is merely a winter visitor to
India. It spreads itself over all parts of the country save the N.W. F.
P. and the Punjab. (A few individuals are said to remain in India to
nest.)
It has a harsh chattering note, which it utters incessantly. It is
regarded in Calcutta as the herald of the cold weather. (Illus. G. B., p.
16.)
38. _Tephrodornis pondicerianus_: The Common Woodshrike. (F. 488), (J.
265), (+I.)
An ashy-brown bird, having a broad white eyebrow and the outer tail
feathers white. Occurs chiefly in gardens and avenues. It is most easily
recognised by its pretty mellow note, which Jesse syllabises as
_tanti-tuia_.
_The Minivets_, 39-41
Minivets are brightly coloured little birds, which usually go about in
small flocks, picking insects from off the leaves of trees. They build
neat cup-shaped nests, which are usually placed on a horizontal branch.
The nest is difficult to find, as when seen from below it looks like a
knot in the branch. The flocks lead a wandering existence.
39. _Pericrocotus speciosus_: The Indian Scarlet Minivet. (F. 490), (J.
271), (I, but with tail of 4½ inches long.)
_Cock_: A beautiful bird arrayed in bright scarlet and black. The head
and shoulders are black, the back and lower parts scarlet. The wings are
black with a scarlet bar running along (and not, as is usual, across) the
wing. Tail feathers scarlet except the median pair, which are black.
_Hen_: Head and body bright yellow, wings black with longitudinal yellow
bar. Tail yellow and black.
Occurs in U. P., Bengal, Assam, and C. P.
40. _Pericrocotus brevirostris_: The short-billed Minivet. (F. 495), (J.
273), (-I, but with tail 4 inches long.)
Very much like the Scarlet Minivet (39) in appearance, save that the red
of the cock is crimson rather than scarlet.
Occurs in Punjab, Rajputana, U. P., Bengal, Assam and C. P. (Illus. G.
B., p. 64.)
41. _Pericrocotus peregrinus_: The Small Minivet. (F. 500), (J. 276),
(-I, tail 3 inches long.)
_Cock_: Head and shoulders slaty grey, lower back deep scarlet, wings
black with red bar, tail black with red at tip, chin and throat blackish,
breast scarlet; lower plumage orange-yellow.
_Hen_: Upper parts grey, lower parts creamy white, wing brown with yellow
or orange wing-bar, tail black with red tip.
Not found in the N.W. F. P.
_The Cuckoo-Shrikes_, 42 _and_ 43
42. _Campophaga sykesi_: The Black-headed Cuckoo-Shrike. (F. 508), (J.
268), (-II.)
_Cock_: Head, throat, and breast black; rest of plumage grey shading into
white on the abdomen; tail black with broad white tip.
_Hen_: Upper parts grey, lower parts whitish with narrow black cross
bars, tail as in cock. This species goes about in small flocks, is
strictly arboreal, and has many of the habits of the minivets.
Not found in Punjab or N.W. F. P.
43. _Graucalus macii_: The Large Cuckoo-Shrike. (F. 510), (J. 270),
(+III.)
A large pale slaty-grey bird with a black patch in front of the eye. The
lower parts are paler than the upper parts and often exhibit more or less
distinct narrow black cross bars; habits as above.
Found all over India, but rare in the N.W. portion of the peninsula.
Neither 42 or 43 are very common birds.
_The Orioles_, 44 _and_ 45
44. _Oriolus kundoo_: The Indian Oriole, or Mango Bird. (F. 518), (J.
470), (-III.)
_Cock_: A bright yellow bird with a pink beak and red eyes. There is some
black on the sides of the head and in the wings and the tail. During
flight this bird looks like a flash of gold.
_Hen_: Of duller hue than the cock, with greenish back.
A strictly arboreal species. The note is a soft, rich, mellow _peeho,
peeho_.
The nest is a wonderful structure—a large cup slung like a hammock or
prawn net on the fork of a bow, usually placed in one of the lower
branches of a lofty tree, but out of reach of a human being. This species
very frequently builds in the same tree as the King Crow. The eggs are
pale pink, with chocolate blotches, which wash off.
This bird is not found in Eastern Bengal, or in the eastern portion of
Bengal proper. It is found all the year round in most parts of India, but
is merely a summer visitor to the Punjab, N.W. F. P., and the Himalayas.
45. _Oriolus melanocephalus_: The Black-headed Oriole. (F. 521), (J. 472
and 473), (-III.)
Very much like the last species, but is distinguishable by having the
whole head, chin, throat, and upper breast black.
Not found in the Punjab, or N.W. F. P., or in the Himalayas. (Illus. G.
B., p. 16; also I. F., p. 128.)
_The Grackles, or Hill Mynas_, 46 _and_ 47
As these birds are almost exclusively confined to hilly and well-wooded
regions they can scarcely be numbered among the common birds of the
plains of India; but as they are so very frequently seen in cages, I
mention them.
They are larger than the common myna, but have a much shorter tail. They
are glossy black birds with a conspicuous white wing bar. Beak
orange-yellow, legs pale yellow. Their most conspicuous feature is the
pair of yellow wattles.
46. _Eulabes religiosa_: The Southern Grackle. (F. 523), (J. 692), (III.)
Found only in S. India.
47. _Eulabes intermedia_: The Indian Grackle. (F. 524), (J. 693), (+III.)
Found in the Himalayas and C. P.
_The Starlings_, 48-54
48. _Pastor roseus_: The Rose-coloured Starling, or Jowaree Bird, or
Tilyer. (F. 528), (J. 690), (+III.)
_Cock_: Head, throat, wings, and tail glossy black; rest of plumage
rose-coloured pink.
_Hens and young cocks_: In these the pink is replaced by a pinkish grey,
or pale coffee-coloured hue. The great majority of birds one sees in
India are hens or young cocks. The head is crested, but the black crest
rests flat on the head, so that it is not noticeable.
Rosy starlings do not breed in India, although individuals may be seen in
all months of the year. The birds are most abundant in the winter.
Preparatory to leaving the country for breeding purposes rosy starlings
congregate in huge flocks in April and May. These flocks do much damage
to the grain, and hence are known as _Jowaree_ and _Cholum_ birds. They
are also very partial to mulberries, and are therefore sometimes known as
Mulberry birds. (B. D., p. 86.)
49. _Sturnus menzbieri_: The Common Indian Starling. (F. 532), (J. 681),
(+II.)
Very like the common English starling in appearance. Glossy black with
numbers of small yellow or buff spots; in certain lights it shows a green
or bronze sheen.
A winter visitor to Northern India. Abundant in the Punjab during the
cold weather, where it is usually seen in flocks.
50. _Sturnia malabarica_: The Grey-headed Myna. (F. 538), (J. 688), (II.)
Head pale grey, chin almost white, rest of upper plumage dark grey with a
reddish tinge, throat and breast reddish grey with a white shaft to each
feather; remainder of lower plumage rusty red. Beak greenish blue with
yellow tip.
Not found in Sind, N.W. F. P., or the Punjab. In the other parts of India
it undergoes local migration. I have seen it in Madras only in the cold
weather.
This is the most arboreal of the mynas, rarely if ever descending to the
ground, and frequenting the topmost branches of trees. It associates in
small flocks. Its note is a harsh chuckle.
51. _Temenuchus pagodarum_: The Black-headed or Brahminy Myna, or Pawai.
(F. 544), (J. 687), (+II.)
Head, neck, and lower plumage rich buff; wings black and grey; tail
feathers brown with white tips; crest black. The long crest rests flat on
the neck and looks like a pig-tail, having a silky hair-like appearance.
Beak blue with yellow tip. Legs bright yellow.
Like most other mynas this species nests in a hole. In this case the
nest-hole is usually in some building or tree. An unpleasant odour
emanates from the nest.
This bird and No. 50 are very alike in shape and colouring, the most
noticeable difference being in the colour of the head and crest and of
the legs.
Not found in Eastern Bengal, the N.W. F. P., or the western portion of
the Punjab. (Illus. B. D., p. 82; also B. B., p. 124.)
52. _Acridotheres tristis_: The Common Myna. (F. 549), (J. 684), (III.)
One of the most familiar of our Indian birds. Head, neck, and upper
breast black; rest of body plumage rich brown; wings black, showing a
very conspicuous white bar during flight. Tail feathers black with broad
white tips, visible during flight. Beak and legs bright yellow; bright
yellow patch of skin behind eye.
This bird is found in every garden in India. It feeds largely on the
ground.
It is a noisy bird. Eha describes its notes as “_Keeky, keeky, keeky . .
. churr, churr, kok, kok, kok_. Each time it says _kok_ it points to the
ground with its beak and bobs its head.” (Illus. B. D., p. 84; also F.
I., p. 516, and B. C., p. 44.)
53. _Acridotheres ginginianus_: The Bank or Well Myna. (F. 551), (J.
685), (-III.)
Very like 51 in shape, but its prevailing tint is grey instead of brown.
The wing bar and the tips of the tail feathers are buff instead of white,
and the patch of skin behind the eye is crimson instead of yellow.
Not found in S. India.
It goes about in flocks and nests in holes in river banks or wells, hence
its popular name.
54. _Sturnopastor contra._ The Pied Myna. (F. 555), (J. 683), (-III.)
A black bird, white cheeks and rump, and white bar at base of wing; lower
parts grey. Beak orange with white tip; orange patch of skin behind the
eye.
This bird differs from the other mynas in that it builds a large nest in
a tree, usually at no great altitude.
Occurs only in U. P., C. P., the Bengals, and Assam. (Illus. G. B., p.
16.)
_The Flycatchers_, 55-60
Flycatchers are birds which feed exclusively on insects, which they catch
upon the wing. Their habit is to make, from some perch, little sallies
into the air after their quarry. It must, however, not be forgotten that
birds other than flycatchers, as, for example, the king crow and the
wagtails, also hunt for insects in this manner; so that it is not safe to
set down a bird as a flycatcher merely because it makes little sallies
into the air after insect quarry.
A considerable number of species of flycatcher occur in India, but the
great majority of them are confined to the hills. The following, however,
are likely to be seen in the plains, Nos. 57-60 being especially
abundant.
55. _Alseonax latirostris._ The Brown Flycatcher. (F. 588), (J. 297),
(-I.)
An ashy-brown bird; tail darker than body, lower parts white,
inconspicuous ring of white feathers round the eye. Not a very common
bird.
Not found in N.W. F. P., Punjab, Sind, or Rajputana.
A little brown bird with a short tail, that makes a sally into the air
after an insect, and then returns to its perch, is probably this species.
56. _Culicicapa ceylonensis_: The Grey-headed Flycatcher. (F. 592), (J.
295), (-I.)
Head, neck, and breast ash-coloured. Back greenish yellow; wings and tail
dark brown. Lower plumage dull yellow.
A winter visitor to the plains. Not likely to be seen in N.W. India.
57. _Terspiphone paradisi_: The Indian Paradise Flycatcher, also known as
the Ribbon Bird and the Widow Bird. (F. 598), (J. 288), (II, but the cock
has a very long tail.)
One of the most beautiful birds in India.
_Hen and young cock_: Like a bulbul in size and form. Rich chestnut
plumage with metallic black crest and head; lower parts white. Bill
bluish black. Legs slate-coloured.
_Second year cock_: Similar to above, except that the two median tail
feathers are much longer than the others, being 16 inches in length.
_Old cocks_: The chestnut parts of the plumage turn white.
This bird undergoes a certain amount of local migration. It visits the
Punjab in great numbers in summer for nesting purposes. The nest is like
an inverted cone in shape, and is usually placed on one of the lower
branches of a tree. The white cock shares the duties of incubation, and
as he sits, his long white tail feathers hang down several inches beyond
the bottom of the nest.
The bird frequently utters a sharp note something like the twitter of a
sparrow. The cock has also a sweet little song.
In Burma this species is replaced by an allied species—the Burmese
Paradise Flycatcher (_T. affinis_). (Illus. F. II., p. 1; also B. B., p.
76, and G. B. frontispiece.)
_The Fantail Flycatchers_, 58-60
These are blackish-brown birds, with a conspicuous white eyebrow. There
are some white spots in the wing. The tail feathers are tipped with
white, and as the bird continually spreads its tail into a fan the white
is very conspicuous. The lower plumage is white. These birds have a
striking and very cheery song of about six notes, which they utter
constantly. They are easily recognised by their “tinkling” song and by
the manner in which they continually fan the tail, drop the wings, and
dance; or, to use Eha’s words, “waltz and pirouette among the lower
branches of a shady mango tree.” Three species are common, and have
similar manners and appearance. The nest is either a neat cup or an
inverted cone, built largely of cobweb on one of the lower branches of a
tree. When they have a nest these flycatchers are very bold. They will
set upon and drive away birds much larger than themselves, and will even
offer to attack an intruding human being. The three species are
distinguished as follows:
58. _Rhipidura albifrontata_: The white-browed Fantail Flycatcher. (F.
604), (J. 292), (+I.)
Distinguished by its very broad white eyebrow and forehead. The common
species of N. India. Nest a cup.
59. _Rhipidura albicollis_: The White-throated Fantail Flycatcher. (F.
605), (J. 291), (+I.)
Distinguished from 58 by the black forehead and narrow white eyebrow, and
from 60 by the black abdomen. Nest an inverted cone. The common fantail
of S. and E. India.
60. _Rhipidura pectoralis_: The White-spotted Fantail Flycatcher (F.
607), (J. 293), (+I.)
Distinguished from 58 by the black forehead and narrow white eyebrow, and
from 59 by the whitish abdomen. Nest cup-shaped. The common fantail of
S.W. India. (Illus. B. B., p. 76.)
_The Robins_, 61-69
61 and 62. _The Pied Bush Chats._
The _cock_ is a black bird (brownish in early winter), with a conspicuous
white wing patch and a white rump.
The _hen_ is a reddish-brown bird (greyish in winter), with a black tail
with a reddish patch over the tail. The hen may be distinguished from
other brownish birds by the peculiar colouring of her mate.
The nest is in a hole in the ground at the base of a tussock of long
grass.
61. _Pratincola caprata_: The Common Pied Bush Chat, or White-winged
Black Robin. (F. 608), (J. 481), (-I.)
Found in N. and C. India.
62. _Pratincola atrata_: The Southern Pied Bush Chat. (F. 609), (J. 482),
(I.)
Found in S. India.
The above two species may perhaps be regarded as local varieties.
63. _Pratincola maura_: The Indian Bush Chat. (F. 610), (J. 483), (-I.)
_Cock_: The upper parts are reddish brown in winter (black in summer
owing to the brown edges to the feathers being worn away). Large patch of
white on each side of neck; breast orange-red, lower parts pale reddish
brown.
_Hen_: Reddish brown all over; no white neck patch.
A winter visitor to all parts of Northern India; occurs usually in open
fields.
The hens of these species of robin-like birds are very difficult to
distinguish; but as they are usually found in company with the cock it is
not as a rule difficult to assign them to their proper species.
64. _Cercomela fusca_: The Brown Rock Chat—the _Desi shama_ of Indians.
(F. 629), (J. 494), (+I.)
A dull inconspicuous brown bird. It frequents buildings and is robin-like
in its habits. As it hops about it continually bobs its head. The cock
sings a sweet little lay. The nest is made up of dried grass and placed
in a niche or on a ledge in an outhouse, or a mosque, or even an
inhabited room. It is made of dried grass and roots, and falls to pieces
if lifted from its foundation. The eggs are pale blue blotched with
reddish yellow.
Found in Punjab, Rajputana, U. P., and C. P.; very common at Lahore.
65. _Ruticilla rufiventris_: The Indian Redstart. (F. 644), (J. 497),
(I.)
_Cock_: Each feather of the head, breast, and upper plumage is black,
fringed with grey, so that after the autumn moult the cock is dark grey
in these parts; but gradually the grey edges wear away, so that by the
spring the head, neck, and upper parts of the cock look black. The rump
and the feathers over the tail are reddish chestnut. The abdomen is
orange-red. All the feathers of the tail are reddish except the two
median ones, which are brown.
_Hen_: Reddish brown when the cock is grey or black; otherwise like the
cock, except that the red in her plumage is duller.
The redstart is an easy bird to identify, it behaves as though it had St.
Vitus’ dance in the tail. As it flies away all the red in its plumage
shows, so that the bird looks like a ball of fire. It feeds largely on
the ground, taking cover in bushes when alarmed. It frequents gardens.
A winter visitor to India. Very common in the north and rarer in the
south.
66. _Thamnobia cambaiensis_: The Brown-backed Indian Robin. (F. 661), (J.
480), (+I.)
_Cock_: A glossy black bird with a brown back, a narrow white bar in the
wing, and a conspicuous patch of brick-red under the tail.
_Hen_: A sandy brown bird with a brick-red patch under the tail.
A familiar bird which haunts gardens and is very partial to dry sandy
localities. It builds a neat cup-shaped nest on window-ledges or in holes
in walls, banks, etc. It usually carries the tail raised almost
vertically and so displays the red patch. Occurs all over Northern India.
South of the Godaveri it is replaced by 67.
67. _Thamnobia fulicata_: The Black-backed Indian Robin. (F. 662), (J.
479), (+I.)
The hen of this species is scarcely distinguishable from the hen of _T.
cambaiensis_ (66). The cock differs in having the back black instead of
brown. Occurs only in S. India. (Illus. B. D., p. 294.)
68. _Copsychus saularis_: The Magpie Robin, or Dayal. (F. 663), (J. 475),
(-II.)
A very familiar garden bird.
_Cock_: A glossy black bird, with a white abdomen sharply marked off from
the black throat and breast. Outer tail feathers white. A conspicuous
white wing bar.
_Hen_: Marked like the cock, but greyish brown where he is black. This
species, like the last, frequently elevates the tail.
The cock has a fine song in spring. This and the magpie pattern of its
plumage cause it to be readily identified. The cock and hen pair for
life. They frequent gardens and are robin-like in habits. It nests in
holes in trees or buildings. The nest is frequently found in stables and
outhouses. (Illus. F. II., p. 56; also G. B., frontispiece, and B. B., p.
97.)
69. _Cittocincla macrura_: The Shama. (F. 664), (J. 476), (II, but with a
tail six inches long.)
A fine songster.
_Cock_: Upper plumage glossy black. Lower back white. Wings black and
white. Lower plumage chestnut red.
_Hen_: Like the cock, save that the black is replaced by slaty brown and
the reddish lower parts are much paler than in the cock.
Found only in thick jungle. (Illus. G. B., p. 40.)
_The Weaver Birds_, 70-73
Weaver birds are sparrow-like birds of gregarious habits. They build, or
rather weave, wonderful flask-shaped or retort-shaped nests which hang
from trees, the entrance being from below. They breed in the rains. Four
species are found in India, these are:
70. _Ploceus baya_: The Baya, or Common Weaver Bird, or Bottle Bird. (F.
720), (J. 694), (I.)
At most seasons of the year the cock and hen are reddish-brown birds with
a faint, fawn-coloured eyebrow, and look very like the hen house sparrow,
having, like her, a thick bill. The hen baya retains this plumage
throughout the year. In the hot weather, however, the head and neck of
the cock become a beautiful golden yellow, as does the breast, and the
chin turns almost black. In this plumage the cock baya is very easily
recognised.
This species occurs in all parts of India except Bengal, Assam, and
Burma. In these places it is replaced by an allied species (71). (Illus.
F. II., p. 173; also B. B., p. 131.)
71. _Ploceus megarhynchus_: The Eastern Baya. (F. 721), (J. 694), (I.)
This species differs so little from (No. 70) _P. baya_, that I am
inclined to regard it as a local race of the latter species.
72. _Ploceus bengalensis_: The Black-throated Weaver-bird. (F. 722), (J.
696), (-I.)
This species is very like 70 and 71 in appearance, but may be
distinguished by (1) a yellow patch on the side of the neck, (2) the
black breast, (3) by the fact that the tubular entrance to the nest is
short and not long like that of _P. baya_ and _P. megarhynchus_.
This is a comparatively rare species and is not found in S. India.
73. _Ploceus manyar_: The Striated Weaver-bird. (F. 723), (J. 695), (I.)
This species is distinguishable from Nos. 70, 71, and 72, by having the
feathers of the breast streaked longitudinally with black.
It is found all over India, but is not nearly so commonly seen as _P.
baya_.
_The Munias_, 74-79
Munias are diminutive birds, considerably smaller than the sparrow,
characterised by very thick bills. Except when breeding they usually go
about in flocks. The nest, which is rarely situated at any great distance
from the ground, is a large, ball-like structure, having an entrance at
the side. The eggs are white.
74. _Munia malacca_: The Black-headed Munia. (F. 725), (J. 697), (-I.)
Head and breast black, back wings and tail rich chestnut, tinged with
maroon. Abdomen white, rest of lower plumage black. Bill very pale slate
colour.
This handsome species is confined to S. India; in the north it is
replaced by a closely allied species (75).
75. _Munia atricapilla_: The Chestnut-bellied Munia. (F. 726), (J. 698),
(-I.)
This differs from 74 only in having the abdomen chestnut instead of
white.
76. _Uroloncha malabarica_: The White-throated Munia (called the
_Chiruka_ in N. India). (F. 734), (J. 703), (-I.)
Jerdon’s name for this bird—the Plain Brown Munia—is much more
appropriate than that given it by Oates, for the white of the throat is
rarely, if ever, pure, being usually cream-coloured.
This is the species of munia most commonly seen, and is found in all
parts of the plains of India, save Eastern Bengal and Burma.
It is a plainly-coloured bird, the upper plumage being earthy brown save
for a white patch on the rump. The lower plumage is dirty white. It has a
twittering, sparrow-like note, syllabised by Sykes as “_cheet, cheet,
cheet_.” The feathers of the tail are graduated. This, the small size of
the bird, the white patch on the rump, the thick bill, and the note
should serve to enable the observer to identify this inconspicuous little
munia. (Illus. B. B., p. 137.)
77. _Uroloncha punctulata_: The Spotted Munia. (F. 735), (J. 699), (-I.)
This is known by bird fanciers as the Nutmeg Bird and the Spice Bird. It,
like No. 79, is one of the common cage birds of India.
Head, neck, upper plumage, wings, and tail are rich chocolate brown, that
of the head being darkest. The lower breast and abdomen are white, but
most of the feathers have each a narrow black semicircular bar, so that
the lower parts of the bird have the appearance of a nutmeg-grater: hence
one of the popular names of the bird. Bill dark slaty blue.
Does not occur in N.W. F. P. or Sind. (Illus. G. B., p. 16.)
78. _Stictospiza formosa_: The Green Munia, or Green Waxbill. (F. 737),
(J. 705), (-I.)
This beautiful little bird, which is barely two-thirds the size of the
sparrow, is frequently caged. The upper plumage and wings are light
green, brighter in the cock than in the hen; the tail is black, the lower
parts are yellow, brighter in the cock than in the hen. Bill bright red.
Distribution: Central India and Southern Bengal.
79. _Sporæginthus amandava_: The Indian Red Munia, or Red Waxbill, or
Lal, or Amadavat. (F. 738), (J. 704), (-I.)
Every aviary in India boasts one or two amadavats.
This is a tiny little bird with a bright red beak and red eyes. The
general hue of the plumage is reddish brown with patches of the richest
crimson and some tiny white spots. There is more crimson in the cock than
in the hen, and in the former in the breeding season than at other times
of the year. But in both sexes there is always a patch of crimson on the
lower rump. In full dress the cock has the whole head, upper plumage,
breast, and sides of the body crimson. As, however, the wing feathers are
brown, the little birds look brown, and not crimson, during flight. In
order to perceive the crimson they must be watched when at rest in the
sunlight.
They are highly gregarious and are found all over India. In Burma this
bird is replaced by an allied one (_S. flavidiventris_), having the
abdomen yellowish red instead of black. (Illus. G. B., frontispiece.)
_The Finches_, 80-82
These are seed-eating birds, characterised by a thick, stout bill. The
canary and the house sparrow are the most familiar examples of this
family.
80. _Carpodacus erythninus_: The Common Rose-Finch. (F. 761), (J. 738),
(+I.)
_Cock_: A crimson bird, with brownish-green wings. The crimson is bright
on the breast, throat, and rump. There are two yellowish-brown bars on
the wing.
_Hen_: A greenish-brown sparrow-like bird with two conspicuous whitish
bars on the wing.
This bird is a winter visitor to the plains of Northern and Central
India, and, to some extent, S. India. Natives call it the _Tuti_. It has
a pleasing song, but is not a bird that obtrudes itself on the observer.
Unless carefully watched for it is apt to be overlooked.
Jerdon writes of this species, “It visits the plains during October, and
leaves in April. In March many are taken in fine breeding livery. In the
extreme south I have chiefly seen it in bamboo jungle, feeding on the
seeds of bamboos on several occasions, and so much is this its habit that
the Telegu name signifies ‘Bamboo sparrow.’ In other parts of the country
it frequents alike groves, gardens, and jungle, feeding on various seeds
and grain; also not infrequently on flower buds and young leaves.”
Eha does not include this species in his _Common Birds of Bombay_.
Cunningham says it is fairly common in the gardens of Calcutta during the
winter months. Jesse states that it is fairly common at Lucknow. At
Lahore I observed it only in March and April.
81. _Gymnorhis flavicollis_: The Yellow-throated Sparrow. (F. 775), (J.
711), (I.)
A near relative of the common house sparrow. In appearance it is like a
particularly tidy and slenderly built hen sparrow. It may be readily
distinguished by its having a pale yellow patch on the throat, bright in
the cock and dull in the hen.
This species frequents gardens, but is far less familiar in its behaviour
than _Passer domesticus_. It nests in holes, usually in trees.
Not found so far east as Calcutta. In the Punjab it is a summer visitor,
whither it repairs for breeding purposes.
82. _Passer domesticus_: The Common Sparrow or House Sparrow. (F. 776),
(J. 706), (I.)
Description of this familiar and ubiquitous bird is quite superfluous. I
give it merely for the sake of completeness.
_Cock_: Top of head and lower back ashy grey, throat black, cheeks and
sides of neck pure white, streak over the eye and upper back chestnut,
wings and tail brown, the former with a white bar; lower plumage dirty
white.
_Hen_: A dull brown bird with dirty white under parts; reddish-white
eyebrow and white wing bar.
_The Buntings_, 83-85
The yellow-hammer, with its song of “A little bit of bread and _no_
che-e-e-ese,” has rendered the bunting clan familiar to every Englishman.
Buntings are finch-like birds with conical bills, mostly rather larger
than the sparrow.
Several species visit the plains of India in large numbers every cold
weather and wax fat on the grain crops. They occur in large noisy flocks,
making merry among the various cereal crops and taking refuge in trees
when disturbed. The species most commonly seen are _E. buchanani_, _E.
melanocephala_, and _E. luteola_.
83. _Emberiza buchanani_: The Grey-necked Bunting. (F. 795), (J. 716),
(+I.)
There is nothing striking in the appearance of this bird. The upper
plumage is ashy brown, the shaft of each feather being darker than the
web, giving the bird a streaked appearance. The lower parts are reddish
brown. There is some white in the tail visible only during flight. There
is an inconspicuous white ring round the eye.
This occurs only in the N.W. parts of India.
84. _Emberiza melanocephala_: The Black-headed Bunting. (F. 799), (J.
721), (+I.)
_Cock_: The feathers of the head are black with a grey border, so that
the head looks grey when the bird first reaches India in the autumn, but
gets blacker as the grey edges of the feathers become worn away. The back
and shoulders are rich chestnut, the wings and tail are brown, the cheeks
and lower plumage are deep bright yellow.
_Hen_: A brownish bird with dull yellow breast and abdomen and a bright
yellow patch under the tail. This species looks rather like a large
long-tailed weaver-bird.
Found in winter, and only in N.W. F. P., Punjab, C. P., and Bombay. It is
the species of bunting most abundant in the neighbourhood of Bombay,
where, as Eha says, it “about takes the place in India of the
yellow-hammer at home, swarming about fields and hedges and singing with
more cheer than music.” (Illus. B. B., p. 142.)
85. _Emberiza luteola_: The Red-headed Bunting. (F. 800), (J. 722), (+I.)
A greenish-brown bird, with the head in the cock a colour between that of
chestnut and old gold. Rump yellow, lower plumage yellow, bright in male
and duller in female.
Winter visitor to N.W. and Central India.
N.B.—None of the above buntings occur in Madras.
_The Swallows_, 86-90
Swallows and martins form a well-marked and familiar group of birds. The
only other family with which it is possible to confound them is that of
the swifts. Anatomically the two families are far removed from one
another; but similarity of profession has brought about similarity in
outward appearance. Nevertheless, the representatives of the two families
may be distinguished at a glance as they dash through the air. “As a
swallow darts along,” writes Eha, “its wings almost close against its
sides at every stroke, and it looks like a pair of scissors opening and
shutting. Now a swift never closes its wings in this way. It whips the
air rapidly with the points of them, but they are always extended and
evenly curved from tip to tip, like a bow, the slim body of the bird
being the arrow.” Jefferies likens a flying swift to an anchor with
enormous flukes. Another difference between the swifts and the swallows
is that the former never perch on trees or wires or on the ground, while
the latter habitually seat themselves on branches of trees and telegraph
wires.
A small bird that dashes with great speed through the air, frequently
changing its course, flying now high up, now just skimming the ground,
and seeming never to tire, can be nothing other than a swift or a
swallow. By the tests given above it is easy to determine whether any
particular bird is a swift or a swallow, but having got thus far it is a
matter of greater difficulty to determine the species. (Illus. F. II., p.
267; also B. B., p. 35.)
Twenty-two species of swallow are found in India; of these the following
are most commonly seen:
86. _Cotile sinensis_: The Indian Sand-martin. (F. 809), (J. 88), (-I.)
A tiny swallow, only about two-thirds the size of the sparrow. Upper
plumage greyish brown. Chin and breast greyish white, rest of lower
plumage white.
It nests in sandbanks, frequently in company.
Occurs only in N. India.
87. _Ptyonoprogne concolor_: The Dusky Crag-martin. (F. 811), (J. 90),
(-I.)
Upper plumage dark brown. Some white spots on the tail. Lower plumage
dark brown, paler on the breast. The most dull-coloured of the swallows.
It builds a nest like that of the common martin—a saucer of mud stuck on
to some vertical surface, usually a cliff or the wall of a cave.
88. _Hirundo rustica_: The Common Swallow (F. 813), (J. 82), (I, but with
a deeply forked tail 4½ inches in length.)
Upper plumage glossy steel blue, wings and tail black; some white in
tail. Lower plumage reddish yellow; forehead, chin, and throat chestnut
red.
89. _Hirundo smithii_: The Wire-tailed Swallow. (F. 818), (J. 84), (-I,
with the two outer feathers of the tail, the ends of which look like
wires, 7 inches in length.)
Head chestnut, upper plumage glossy steel blue, lower plumage pure white.
Not found in Madras or east of the U. P. Builds cup-shaped nest of mud,
usually under a bridge or culvert; sometimes in a verandah. Eggs white
with small red splashes.
90. _Hirundo erythropygia_: Sykes’s Striated Swallow, or the Red-rumped
Swallow. (F. 823), (J. 85), (-I, with a forked tail over 3 inches in
length.)
Upper parts glossy steel blue, except for the sides of the head and the
lower back; which are chestnut red. Lower plumage pale reddish yellow.
Not found in Madras, Eastern Bengal, or Burma. Nest of usual swallow
type; eggs white.
Key to the Common Swallows
A.—_Tail short._
_a._ Under parts light—_Cotile sinensis_.
_b._ Under parts dark—_Ptyonoprogne concolor_.
B.—_Tail long and forked._
_a._ Chestnut red on forehead, chin, and throat—_Hirundo rustica_.
_b._ Head only chestnut, under parts white, outer tail feathers very
long and wire-like—_H. smithii_.
_c._ Chestnut on lower back—_H. erythropygia_.
_The Wagtails_, 91-94
This family includes the wagtails and pipits. These are slenderly built
birds, whose line of flight is an undulating curve. They feed on the
ground, sometimes making little sallies into the air after their quarry,
and run with great speed. They never hop. They constantly “wag the tail,”
hence their popular name. The wagtails are distinguished from the pipits
by their brighter colouring and longer tails. Pipits are earth-coloured
birds with dark stripes along the vein of each feather.
All the wagtails except _M. maderaspatensis_ are merely winter visitors
to the plains of India.
91. _Motacilla alba_: The White Wagtail. (F. 826), (J. 591), (-II.)
General colour of plumage grey. Face, chin, and throat white, back of
head and nape black; a black patch on the breast, the remainder of the
lower plumage is white. The wings are black with much white in them. The
middle tail feathers are black, the outer ones white. [In all wagtails
the outer tail feathers are white, and show up very distinctly during
flight.]
Not found in S. India. (Illus. B. B., p. 111.)
92. _Motacilla maderaspatensis_: The Large Pied Wagtail. (F. 831), (J.
589), (II.)
A black bird with a conspicuous white eyebrow. The breast and lower
plumage are white. There is a broad white bar in the wing. The outer tail
feathers are white.
The only bird with which this wagtail can possibly be confounded is the
cock magpie-robin or _Dhayal_ (68) (q.v.), but the two are easily
distinguishable by—
(1) The magpie-robin lacks the white eyebrows.
(2) The magpie-robin carries his tail erect; the wagtail never erects its
tail.
Not found in Eastern Bengal, Assam, or Burma. A permanent resident. Nests
in a hole in an old boat, a roof, a bridge, etc. The eggs are greenish
white, blotched with brown.
This wagtail is a fine songster, and may sometimes be seen sitting on a
telegraph wire pouring forth its melody. (Illus. B. D., p. 14.)
93. _Motacilla melanope_: The Grey Wagtail. (F. 832), (J. 592), (-II.)
This bird is misnamed. It has a large amount of yellow in its plumage.
For this reason Jerdon calls it the grey and yellow wagtail.
The upper parts are bluish grey, marked with yellowish green on the lower
back. Throat white, lower plumage bright yellow, wings brown, middle tail
feathers black, outer ones white.
94. _Motacilla borealis_: The Grey-headed Wagtail. (F. 833), (J. 593),
(-II.)
This species is so like _M. melanope_ (No. 93) that it is not easy to
differentiate between them. It is, however, generally possible to
distinguish them by the fact that in this species the chin is yellow, and
the breast is sometimes mottled with black.
_The Pipits_, 95 _and_ 96
95. _Anthus maculatus_: The Indian Tree-Pipit. (F. 841), (J. 596), (I.)
A dull-coloured bird like a wagtail in shape, but with a shorter tail,
which it sometimes wags in a half-hearted manner.
The upper parts are earthy brown with dark streaks. The lower parts are
creamy white with black streaks. There is a little white in the tail,
visible only during flight. It feeds on the ground, but takes refuge in a
tree when disturbed. It frequently goes about in flocks. There is nothing
striking in its appearance or habits, and so it is not easy to describe
satisfactorily.
A winter visitor. Not found in Madras. (Illus. B. B., p. 111).
96. _Anthus rufulus_: The Indian Pipit, or the Indian Tit-Lark. (F. 847),
(J. 600), (I.)
This is scarcely distinguishable from the last species (95). It has a
somewhat longer bill and longer legs. The claw of its hind toe is much
longer than that of _A. maculatus_, but this cannot be seen unless the
bird be held in the hand. This species is found all over India. Thus in
N. India in winter a bird answering to this description may be either
species, and it is only safe to set it down as a “pipit.”
_The Larks_, 97-103
Larks are so like pipits that it is not easy to distinguish between them
without capturing them. (Illus. F. II., p. 315.)
97. _Alauda gulgula_: The Indian Skylark. (F. 861), (J. 767), (+I.)
This is very like the above two pipits in appearance, but there is a good
deal more white in the tail. Except for its somewhat smaller size it is
indistinguishable from the English skylark, and all books on Indian
ornithology state that this bird soars up into the heavens and pours
forth its song just as the lark does in England. I must confess that this
is not my experience. I have never seen this species soar in the middle
of the day, or at any time save the very early morning.
This is a permanent resident and builds a nest on the ground like that of
the common skylark.
98. _Alaudula raytal_: The Ganges Sand-lark. (F. 866), (J. 762), (-I.)
This is distinguishable from the skylark by its smaller size and its
white under plumage.
It is a permanent resident, but is confined to the sandy beds of the
rivers of N. India. It runs about near the edge of the water.
_The Bush Larks_, 99 _and_ 100
These are distinguished by having no white in the tail. They frequently
perch in bushes or low trees, whence they sometimes take short flights in
the air.
99. _Mirafra assamica_: The Bengal Bush-lark. (F. 870), (J. 754), (I.)
Found in U. P., Bengal, and Assam.
The common Bush Lark of the U.P. is not the Bengal but the Red-winged
Bush Lark (_Mirafra erythroptera_) (F. 871) (J. 756) (-I). This is
smaller than the Bengal species and the brown of its upper plumage is
tinged with red.
100. _Mirafra affinis_: The Madras Bush-lark. (F. 872), (J. 755), (I.)
Found in S. India. It is common in Guindy Park.
_The Crested Larks_, 101-103
These are readily distinguished by the sharp-pointed crest which projects
backwards and upwards from the back of the head. They sing well and have
habits very similar to those of the skylark. No white in the tail.
101. _Galerita cristata_: The Crested Lark. (F. 874), (J. 769), (+I.)
Punjab and U. P., where it is abundant. Very common at Lahore.
102. _Galerita deva_: Sykes’s Crested Lark. (F. 875), (J. 765), (I.)
U. P., Rajputana, and C. I.
103. _Galerita malabarica_: The Malabar Crested Lark. (F. 876), (J. 768),
(+I.)
Bombay and Travancore.
_The Finch-Larks_, 104 _and_ 105
These are easily recognised by their curious habit of flying some twenty
or thirty feet into the air, then closing their wings and dropping to the
ground. As they descend they utter a curious note. They are dumpy little
birds and do not look as large as their measurements.
104. _Ammomanes phœnicura_: The Rufous-tailed Finch-Lark. (F. 877), (J.
758), (I.)
A dark brown bird, with dark red on the lower back and tail.
It is found chiefly in Central India in Bombay. In Sind and the Punjab it
is replaced by _A. phœnicuroides_ (the Desert Finch-Lark). Not found in
Madras.
105. _Pyrrhulauda grisea_: The Ashy-crowned Finch-Lark. (F. 879), (J.
760), (-I.)
This is the common Finch-Lark of India, being a permanent resident
everywhere, except the N.W. F. P., Eastern Bengal, Assam, and Burma.
_Cock_: Upper parts dark ashy grey. Streak through the eye and all the
lower plumage black, cheeks and sides of breast white, so that, as Eha
points out, the black on the throat takes the form of a cross. [This very
unusual colouring, i.e. darker below than above, renders the cock easy to
identify.]
_Hen_: The parts that are black in the cock are reddish brown. (Illus. B.
B., p. 142.)
_The Sunbirds, or Honeysuckers_, 106-108
These charming little birds are easy to identify. They are the Old World
counterparts of the humming birds of the New World. The hens are
inconspicuous little brown birds with yellow under parts, but the cocks
wear a gay livery. They build large hanging nests, composed of dried
grass, leaves, etc., held together by cobweb, so that they look, from a
little distance, like hanging masses of rubbish. Close inspection shows
that the nest is pear-shaped, with a circular entrance at one side and a
little porch over the entrance. The nests are found in gardens, being
sometimes suspended from the roof of the verandah.
These birds feed largely on the nectar of flowers, which they abstract by
means of their long tubular tongues. In order to obtain the honey they
frequently hover on rapidly-vibrating wings, like humming birds.
106. _Arachnechthra lotenia_: Loten’s Sunbird. (F. 894), (J. 235), (-I.)
_Cock_: The whole plumage is dark metallic purple, looking black in some
lights, but in the sun’s rays it displays a green or lilac sheen. The
beak is long and curved.
_Hen_: Upper plumage earthy brown, lower plumage very pale yellow.
Found only in S. India. Very common in Madras. (Illus. B. P., pp. 78, 82,
and 90.)
107. _Arachnechthra asiatica_: The Purple Sunbird. (F. 895), (J. 234),
(-I.)
_Cock_: Very like _A. lotenia_, but this species is smaller and its
curved beak is shorter. It is a very fine songster, its voice being as
sweet as that of the canary or the pied wagtail.
_Hen_: Upper plumage earthy brown, lower plumage yellow.
Found all over India, but is only a summer visitor to the Punjab and N.W.
F. P. (Illus. I. F., frontispiece.)
108. _Arachnechthra zeylonica_: The Purple-rumped Sunbird (F. 901), (J.
232), (-I.)
_Cock_: From a little distance the cock looks like a black-and-white
bird, the upper parts and breast appear black, and the lower parts white.
Closer inspection, however, reveals a livery of many colours, each of
which has a beautiful sheen. There is a patch on the crown which appears
metallic lilac in some lights and emerald green in others. The neck and
upper back are dull crimson, the lower back, chin, and throat are
brilliant metallic purple. The tail and wing feathers are dark brown.
There is a maroon collar below the throat. The lower plumage is bright
yellow.
_Hen_: Upper plumage earthy brown, lower parts yellow.
Found in all parts of India except N.W. F. P., Punjab, U.P., Behar,
Assam, and Burma. Very common in S. India. (Illus. B. P., p. 80; also B.
B., p. 62, and G. B., p. 40, and I. F., p. 128).
_The Pittas_, 109
Pittas are unique birds. They are about the size of a quail and are
characterised by their short tails and legs and their many-coloured
plumage. They feed upon the ground, but when alarmed they take refuge in
bushes. They are never seen far from cover. They have a cheery whistling
song.
109. _Pitta brachyura_: The Indian Pitta. (F. 933), (J. 345), (II.)
The natives call this species the _Naurang_ (nine colours) on account of
its many colours.
The crown is yellow tinged with orange and divided in the middle by a
broad black band running from the beak to the nape of the neck, where it
meets a broader black band that passes below the eye. The eyebrow is
white. The back and shoulders are dull bluish green. There is a patch of
pale blue feathers over the tail and a patch of the same colour on the
wing. The feathers of the wing and tail are black tipped with blue. There
is a white bar in the wing visible only during flight. Chin and throat
are white, breast orange-yellow. There is a large crimson patch under the
tail.
Not found in N.W. F. P., Punjab, Eastern Bengal, Assam, or Burma. It is
nowhere abundant, but fairly common in Madras. (Illus. B. D., p. 108;
also I. F., p. 256.)
_The Woodpeckers_, 110 _and_ 111
A general description of the woodpeckers is scarcely necessary. They feed
exclusively on insects, which they pick off the trunks of trees, tapping
the same with their chisel-like beak to drive their quarry from its lair.
They are very skilled climbers, moving up and down the tree trunk in a
series of jerks; the head is always pointing upwards. Their powers of
flight are not great, they progress through the air in a series of
undulations, uttering their peculiar harsh cries. They excavate their
nests in the trunks of trees. A great many woodpeckers exist in India,
but only two species are widely distributed.
110. _Liopicus mahrattensis_: The Yellow-fronted Pied Woodpecker. (F.
972), (J. 160), (-II.)
A spotted black-and-white bird, with a yellow patch on the forehead. The
cock has in addition a short red crest. There is also a patch of red on
the abdomen.
Not found in Eastern Bengal and Assam.
111. _Brachypternus aurantius_: The Golden-backed Woodpecker. (F. 986),
(J. 180), (+III.)
Bright crimson crest. Top of head black. Sides of head white, with a
number of black lines and streaks. Upper back golden yellow. Lower back
and tail black. Wings black and golden yellow, with some white spots. It
has a loud screaming call, which it constantly utters.
Not found in Assam. Common in all other parts of India. (Illus. F. III.,
p. 14; also B. C., p. 65.)
112. _Iynx torquilla_: The Common Wryneck. (F. 1003), (J. 188), (+I.)
An inconspicuous grey-brownish bird, streaked, speckled, and mottled all
over its plumage. In some respects its habits are those of the
woodpecker, but it rarely if ever climbs high up a tree, it is usually
seen picking insects off a tree stump or a mound. It has a peculiar habit
of twisting its head round, hence its name.
It is a winter visitor to the plains of India, but can scarcely be called
a common bird.
_The Barbets_, 113 _and_ 114
Barbets are tree-haunting birds with thick bills. They have loud
monotonous calls of two or three notes, which they repeat eternally. They
nest in holes in trees, which they excavate with their thick stout bills,
in woodpecker fashion. The entrance to the nest is a perfectly circular
hole, like that leading to a woodpecker’s nest, but considerably smaller.
Barbets, when calling, move the head, so that it is not easy to locate
the bird from its call.
113. _Thereiceryx zeylonicus_: The Common Green Barbet. (F. 1008), (J.
193), (III.)
A rich leaf-green bird, with a brownish head and a large brown patch
round the eye devoid of feathers.
During the latter part of the cold weather and the early part of the hot
weather it makes the _bagh_ where it occurs resound with its loud,
penetrating, monotonous _kutur, kutur, kutur_. The bird starts by
uttering a harsh laugh—_tur-r-r-r_—this is followed by a long succession
of _kuturs_.
Not found in Punjab, Sind, Rajputana, Lower Bengal, or the East Coast of
the Madras presidency.
114. _Xantholæma hæmatocephala_: The Crimson-breasted Barbet, or
Coppersmith. (F. 1019), (J. 197), (+I.)
An olive-green bird with very gaudy colouring on the head. I quote the
following description from _Bombay Ducks_: The bird “always puts me in
mind of a woman who ‘makes up’ very carelessly, who is not only
exceedingly lavish of the paint, but does not understand how to shade it
off gradually. The general colour of the bird’s plumage is greenish, but
on close inspection many greyish white feathers are seen to be mingled
with the green ones. There is a daub of crimson on the forehead and
another on the throat. The sides of the face are pale yellow. The legs
are coral red. The build of the bird is exceedingly coarse.”
But the coppersmith is a bird that is usually heard rather than seen. Its
monotonous metallic _tonk, tonk, tonk_, like the tapping of a hammer on
metal, is one of the most familiar sounds of the Indian country-side.
This cry is heard only in the hot weather, and the warmer the day the
more vigorously does the bird call. (Illus. B. D., p. 246; also B. B., p.
57.)
115. _Coracias indica_: The Indian Roller, or “Blue Jay.” (F. 1022), (J.
123), (+III.)
This is a most familiar bird. Its head and neck, throat and shoulders,
are the colour of a faded port-wine stain. Its wings and tail are
composed of alternate broad bands of light and dark blue. These organs
are not very much _en evidence_ when the bird is perched; but flight
transforms it; as it flaps heavily along it is a study in Oxford and
Cambridge blue.
It is found in most parts of India, but not in the island of Bombay.
It nests at the beginning of the hot weather in a hole in a building or a
decayed tree. At the breeding season it is very noisy, uttering strange
hoarse cries as it performs weird antics in the air, or, sitting on a
perch, it every now and again utters a loud _tshock_, accompanied by a
vibration of the tail.
In Burma this species is replaced by an allied one—_Coracias affinis_—the
Burmese Roller. (Illus. B. D., p. 112; also B. P., p. 12, and B. C.
cover.)
_The Bee-eaters_, 116 _and_ 117
Bee-eaters are brightly coloured birds of elegant form. They are
characterised by having the median pair of tail feathers prolonged a
couple of inches beyond the others as bristles. The feeding habits of
these birds are like those of flycatchers. They make from some perch
little sallies in the air after insects. The wings when spread are
triangular in shape. They excavate their nests in sandbanks.
116. _Merops viridis_: The Common Indian Bee-eater. (F. 1026), (J. 117),
(I, but with rather a long tail.)
An emerald-green bird with a turquoise throat, black necklace, and a
black band through the eye. The wings are shot with bronze, so that, as
the bird sails along on outstretched pinions, it looks now green, now
bronze, as the rays of the sun are reflected at different angles. There
is some black in the tail, and the two median tail feathers project as
bristles a couple of inches beyond the other tail feathers. The eye is
bright red.
Found all over India, but undergoes a considerable amount of local
migration. It is a summer visitor to the Punjab and N.W. F. P., and is
said to leave the island of Bombay in the hot weather. (Illus. B. D., p.
82; also B. B., p. 42, and G. B., p. 64.)
117. _Merops philippinus_: The Blue-tailed Bee-eater. (F. 1027), (J.
118), (II, but with rather a long tail.)
General hue green, shot with bronze; the tail is bluish. There is a broad
black streak running through the eye. The chin is a dirty cream colour.
The throat is chestnut-red. The eye is bright red.
This species is a larger and less beautiful edition of No. 116. Like the
latter it undergoes partial migration, being a summer visitor to N. India
and a winter visitor to S. India. One sees large numbers of these birds
when out snipe shooting in Madras. They perch on the _bands_ between the
flooded fields and make sallies into the air after insects. The note is a
feeble but mellow whistle.