Chapter VI: Part III: The Common Birds of the Palni Hills . . . . . . 233 (5)

The most beautiful of all the flycatchers is _Terpsiphone paradisi_--the paradise-flycatcher, or ribbon-bird, as it is often called. This is fairly abundant on the Nilgiris. The cock in the full glory of his adult plumage is a truly magnificent object. His crested head is metallic blue-black. This stands out in sharp contrast to the remainder of the plumage, which is as white as snow. Two of his tail feathers, being 12 inches longer than the others, hang down like satin streamers. Young cocks are chestnut instead of white. Birds in both phases of plumage breed. The hen has the metallic blue-black crested head, but she lacks the elongated tail feathers. Her plumage is chestnut, like that of the young cock. In both the hen and the young cock the breast is white. As "Eha" remarks, the hen looks very like a bulbul.

THE TURDIDAE OR THRUSH FAMILY

This heterogeneous family includes thrushes, chats, robins, accentors, and dippers.

The southern pied bush-chat (_Pratincola atrata_) is one of the commonest and most familiar birds of the Nilgiris. It frequents gardens and is often found near houses: hence it is known as the hill-robin. The cock is clothed in black except the lower part of the back, the under parts, and a bar on the wing, which are white. Those parts that are black in the cock are brown in the hen, while her back and under parts are russet instead of white, but the white bar on the wing persists. This species lives on insects. It dwells in low shrubs and captures its quarry on the ground. It nests in a hole in a bank or well, lining the same with grass or hair. But summer visitors to the hills are not likely to come across the eggs, because these are usually hatched before May.

The Nilgiri blackbird (_Merula simillima_) is very like the blackbird of England. The plumage of the cock, however, is not so black, and the legs, instead of being brown, are reddish. Its charming song, with which all who have visited Ootacamund are familiar, is almost indistinguishable from that of its European cousin.

The Nilgiri thrush (_Oreocincla nilgirensis_) resembles the European thrush in appearance. Its upper plumage is pale brown, spotted with black and buff; its throat and abdomen are white with black drops. This bird has a fine powerful song, but he who wishes to hear it has usually to resort to one of the forests on the plateau of the Nilgiris.

THE PLOCEIDAE OR WEAVER-BIRD FAMILY

This family includes the weaver-birds, famous for their wonderful hanging retort-shaped nests, and the munias, of which the amadavat or _lal_ is familiar to every resident of India as a cage bird.

The weaver-birds do not ascend the hills, but several species of munia are found on the Nilgiris. Spotted munias (_Uroloncha punctulata_) are abundant in the vicinity of both Coonoor and Ootacamund. They occur in flocks on closely-cropped grassland. They feed on the ground. They are tiny birds, not much larger than white-eyes. The upper plumage is chocolate brown, becoming a rich chestnut about the head and neck, while the breast and abdomen are mottled black and white, hence the popular name. The black spots on the breast and abdomen cause these to look like the surface of a nutmeg grater; for that reason this munia is sometimes spoken of as the nutmeg-bird. The rufous-bellied munia (_Uroloncha pectoralis_) occurs abundantly a little below Coonoor, but does not appear to ascend so high as Ootacamund. Its upper parts are chocolate brown, save the feathers above the tail, which Oates describes as "glistening fulvous." The wings and tail are black, as are the cheeks, chin, and throat. The lower parts are pinkish brown. The stout bill is slaty blue. Like the spotted munia, this species is considerably smaller than a sparrow.

The Indian red-munia or red waxbill or _lal_ (_Sporaeginthus amandava_) is another very small bird. Its bill and eyes are bright red. Over its brown plumage are dotted many tiny white spots. There are also some large patches of red or crimson, notably one on the rump. The amount of crimson varies considerably; in the breeding season nearly the whole of the upper plumage of the cock is crimson. Amadavats go about in flocks and utter a cheeping note during flight. Their happy hunting grounds are tangles of long grass. Amadavats occur all over the Nilgiris.

THE FRINGILLIDAE OR FINCH FAMILY

Finches are seed-eating birds characterised by a stout bill, which is used for husking grain.

The common sparrow (_Passer domesticus_) is the best known member of the finch family. Most of us see too much of him. He is to be observed in every garden on the Nilgiris, looking as though the particular garden in which he happens to be belongs to him. As a rule, sparrows nest about houses, but numbers of them breed in the steep cuttings on the road between Coonoor and Ootacamund.

The only other finch common on the Nilgiris is the rose-finch (_Carpodacus erythrinus_). This, however, is only a winter visitor: it departs from the Nilgiris in April and does not return until the summer season is over.

THE HIRUNDINIDAE OR SWALLOW FAMILY

This family includes the swallows and the martins.

The swallows commonly found on the Nilgiris in summer are the Nilgiri house-swallow (_Hirundo javanica_) and the red-rumped or mosque swallow (_H. erythropygia_). I regret to have to state that Oates has saddled the latter with the name "Sykes's striated swallow"; he was apparently seduced by the sibilant alliteration!

Those two swallows are easily distinguished. The latter is the larger bird; its upper parts are glossy steel-blue, except the rump, which is of chestnut hue. The house-swallow has the rump glossy black, but it displays a good deal of red about the head and neck.

In the cold weather the European swallow and two species of martin visit the Nilgiris.

THE MOTACILLIDAE OR WAGTAIL FAMILY

In the winter several kinds of wagtail visit the Nilgiris, but only one species remains all the year round. This is the beautiful pied wagtail (_Motacilla maderaspatensis_), of which the charming song must be familiar to all residents of Madras. On the Nilgiris the bird is not sufficiently common to require more than passing notice.

The pipits are members of the wagtail family. They have not the lively colouring of the wagtails, being clothed, like skylarks, in homely brown, spotted or streaked with dark brown or black. They have the wagtail trick of wagging the tail, but they perform the action in a half-hearted manner.

The two pipits most often seen on the Nilgiris in summer are the Nilgiri pipit (_Anthus nilgirensis_) and the Indian pipit (_A. rufulus_). I know of no certain method of distinguishing these two species without catching them and examining the hind toe. This is much shorter in the former than in the latter species. The Nilgiri pipit goes about singly or in pairs, and, although it frequents grassy land, it usually keeps to cover and flies into a tree or bush when alarmed. It is confined to the highest parts of the Nilgiris. The Indian pipit affects open country and seems never to perch in trees.

THE ALAUDIDAE OR LARK FAMILY

The Indian skylark (_Alauda gulgula_) is common on the Nilgiris. Wherever there is a grassy plain this species is found. Like the English skylark, it rises to a great height in the air, and there pours forth its fine song.

To the ordinary observer the Indian skylark is indistinguishable from its European congener.

The other common lark of the Nilgiris is the Malabar crested lark (_Galerita cristata_). This is in shape and colouring very like the Indian skylark, but is easily distinguished by the pointed crest that projects upwards and backwards from the hind part of the head. The crested lark has a pretty song, which is often poured forth when the bird is in the air. This species does not soar so high as the skylark. Like the latter, it frequents open spaces.

THE NECTARINIDAE OR SUNBIRD FAMILY

A bird of the plains which is to be seen in every Nilgiri garden is the beautiful little purple sunbird (_Arachnecthra asiatica_). He flits about in the sunbeams, passing from flower to flower, extracting with his long tubular tongue the nectar hidden away in their calyces. He is especially addicted to gladioli. His head gets well dusted with yellow pollen, which he carries like a bee from one bloom to another. In the case of flowers with very deep calyces, he sometimes makes short cut to the honey by piercing with his sharp curved bill a hole in the side through which to insert the tongue. The cock purple sunbird needs no description. His glistening metallic plumage compels attention. He is usually accompanied by his spouse, who is earthy brown above and pale yellow below.

The other sunbird commonly seen in hill-gardens is one appropriately named the tiny sun bird or honeysucker (_Arachnecthra minima_), being less than two-thirds the size of a sparrow. As is usual with sunbirds, the cock is attired more gaily than the hen. He is a veritable feathered exquisite. Dame Nature has lavished on his diminutive body most of the hues to be found in her well-stocked paint-box. His forehead and crown are metallic green. His back is red, crimson on the shoulders. His lower plumage might be a model for the colouring of a Neapolitan ice-cream; from the chin downwards it displays the following order of colours: lilac, crimson, black, yellow. The hen is brown above, with a dull red rump, and yellow below.

The purple-rumped sunbird (_Arachnecthra zeylonica_), which is very abundant in and about Madras, does not ascend the Nilgiris above 3000 feet. Loten's sunbird (_A. lotenia_) ventures some 2500 feet higher, and has been seen in the vicinity of Coonoor. This species is in colouring almost indistinguishable from the purple sunbird, but its long beak renders it unmistakable.

THE DICAEIDAE OR FLOWER-PECKER FAMILY

Flower-peckers, like sunbirds, are feathered exquisites. The habits of the two families are very similar, save that flower-peckers dwell among the foliage of trees, while sunbirds, after the manner of butterflies, sip the nectar from flowers that grow near the ground.

Every hill-garden can boast of one or two flower-peckers. These are among the smallest birds in existence. They are as restless as they are diminutive. So restless are they that it is very difficult to follow their movements through field-glasses, and they are so tiny that without the aid of field-glasses it is difficult to see them among the foliage in which they live, move, and have their being. These elusive mites continually utter a sharp _chick-chick-chick_. Two species are common on the Nilgiris.

They are known as the Nilgiri flower-pecker (_Dicaeum concolor_) and Tickell's flower-pecker (_D. erythrorhynchus_). The latter is the more numerous. Both are olive-green birds, paler below than above. Tickell's species has the bill yellow: in the other the beak is lavender blue.

THE PICIDAE OR WOODPECKER FAMILY

Woodpeckers are birds that feed exclusively on insects, which they pick off the trunks of trees. They move about over the bark with great address. Whether progressing upwards, downwards, or sideways, the head is always pointed upwards.

For some reason or other there is a paucity of woodpeckers on the Nilgiris. The Indian Empire can boast of no fewer than fifty-four species; of these only six patronise the Nilgiris, and but two appear to ascend higher than 5000 feet. The only woodpecker that I have noticed in the vicinity of Coonoor is Tickell's golden-backed woodpecker (_Chrysocolaptes gutticristatus_). I apologise for the name; fortunately the bird never has to sign it in full. This woodpecker is a magnificent bird, over a foot in length, being 1-1/2 inch longer than the golden-backed species found in Madras itself. The cock has a crimson crest, the sides of the head and neck and the under parts are white, relieved by black streaks that run longitudinally. The back and wings appear golden olive in the shade, and when the sun shines on them they become a beautiful coppery red. The lower part of the back is crimson. The tail is black. The hen differs from the cock in having the crest black. When these birds fly, their wings make much noise. The species utters a high-pitched but somewhat faint screaming note.

THE CAPITONIDAE OR BARBET FAMILY

Barbets are tree-haunting birds characterised by massive bills. They have loud calls of two or three notes, which they repeat with much persistence. They nestle in trees, themselves excavating the nest cavity. The entrance to the nest is invariably marked by a neat round hole, a little larger than a rupee, in the trunk or a branch of a tree. The coppersmith is the most familiar member of the clan. It does not occur on the Nilgiris, but a near relative is to be numbered among the commonest birds of those hills, being found in every wood and in almost every garden. This bird is fully as vociferous as the coppersmith, but instead of crying, _tonk-tonk-tonk_, it suddenly bursts into a kind of hoarse laugh, and then settles down to a steady _kutur-kutur-kutur_, which resounds throughout the hillside. This call is perhaps the most familiar sound heard in the hills. This species is called the lesser green barbet (_Thereiceryx viridis_) to distinguish it from the larger green barbet of the plains (_T. zeylonicus_). It is a vivid green bird with a dull yellow patch, devoid of feathers, round the eye. There are some brown streaks on the breast.

THE ALCEDINIDAE OR KINGFISHER FAMILY

The only kingfisher that occurs abundantly throughout the Nilgiris is the common kingfisher (_Alcedo ispida_). This bird is not much larger than a sparrow. The head and nape are blue with faint black cross-bars. The back is glistening pale blue and the tail blue of darker hue. The wings are greenish blue. The sides of the head are gaily tinted with red, blue, black, and white. The lower parts are rusty red. The bill is black and the feet coral red. The beautiful white-breasted kingfisher (_Halcyon smyrnensis_)--the large blue species with the chocolate-coloured head and white breast--occurs on the Nilgiris at all elevations, but is not nearly so abundant as its smaller relative.

THE CYPSELIDAE OR SWIFT FAMILY

Four species of swift are to be seen on the Nilgiris; two of them are the fleetest birds in existence; these are the alpine swift (_Cypselus melba_) and the brown-necked spine-tail (_Chaetura indica_). The former progresses with ease at the rate of 100 miles an hour: the latter can cover 125 miles, while the former is flying 100. If we poor human beings were possessed of the motive power of swifts we should think nothing of flying to England on ten days' casual leave. This may be possible a few years hence, thanks to the aeroplane; but even then the swifts will have the advantage as regards cheapness of transit. The lower parts of the alpine swift are white, while those of the spine-tail are rich brown. Hence the two species may be differentiated at a glance.

The edible-nest swiftlet (_Collocalia fuciphaga_) is the commonest swift on the Nilgiris. It is only about half the size of the species mentioned above, being less than 5 inches in length. In my opinion, this bird is misnamed the edible-nest swiftlet, because a considerable quantity of grass and feathers is worked into the nest, and I, for my part, find neither grass nor feathers edible. But _chacun a son gout_.

There is, however, an allied species--the little grey-rumped swiftlet (_C. francicia_)--found in the Andaman Islands--of which the nests are really good to eat. This species constructs its tiny saucer-shaped nursery entirely of its own saliva.

April and May are the months in which to seek for the nests of the Nilgiri swiftlet, and the insides of caves the places where a search should be made.

The fourth swift of the Nilgiris, the crested swift (_Macropteryx coronata_), is not sufficiently abundant to merit description in this essay.

THE CAPRIMULGIDAE OR NIGHTJAR FAMILY

Nightjars, or goatsuckers, to give them their ancient and time-honoured name, are birds that lie up during the day in shady woods and issue forth at dusk on silent wing in order to hawk insects. The most characteristic feature of a nightjar is its enormous frog-like mouth; but it is not easy to make this out in the twilight or darkness, so that the observer has to rely on other features in order to recognise goatsuckers when he sees them on the wing, such as their long tail and wings, their curious silent fluttering flight, their dark plumage with white or buff in the wings and tail, their crepuscular and nocturnal habits, and their large size. Nightjars are as large as pigeons.

The common species of the Nilgiris is the jungle nightjar (_Caprimulgus indicus_). For a couple of hours after nightfall, and the same period before dawn in the spring, this bird utters its curious call--a rapidly-repeated _cuck-chug-chuck-chuck_.

Horsfield's nightjar (_C. macrurus_) is perhaps not sufficiently abundant on the Nilgiris to deserve mention in this essay. A bird which after dark makes a noise like that produced by striking a plank with a hammer can be none other than this species.

THE CUCULIDAE OR CUCKOO FAMILY

The koel (_Eudynamis honorata_) occurs on the Nilgiris and has been shot at Ootacamund. It betrays its presence by its loud _ku-il_, _ku-il_, _ku-il_. The common cuckoo of the hills is the hawk-cuckoo (_Hierococcyx varius_) or brain-fever bird. Its crescendo _brain-fever_, BRAIN-FEVER, BRAIN-FEVER prevents any person from failing to notice it. It victimises laughing-thrushes and babblers. It has a large cousin (_H. sparverioides_), which also occurs on the Nilgiris, and which likewise screams _brain-fever_ at the top of its voice. Both species are like sparrow-hawks in appearance. The handsome pied crested cuckoo (_Coccystes jacobinus_), which cuckolds the seven sisters, is a bird easy to identify. It has a conspicuous crest. The upper plumage is glossy black, save for a white wing bar and white tips to the tail feathers. The lower parts are white.

The common coucal or crow-pheasant (_Centropus sinensis_) is a cuckoo that builds a nest and incubates its eggs. It is as big as a pheasant, and is known as the Griff's pheasant because new arrivals in India sometimes shoot it as a game bird. If naturalists could show that this cuckoo derived any benefit from its resemblance to a pheasant, I doubt not that they would hold it up as an example of protective mimicry. It is a black bird with rich chestnut wings. The black tail is nearly a foot long. The coucal is fairly abundant on the Nilgiris.

THE PSITTACIDAE OR PARROT FAMILY

The green parrots of the plains do not venture far up the slopes of the hills. The only species likely to be seen on the Nilgiris at elevations of 4000 feet and upwards is the blue-winged paroquet (_Palaeornis columboides_). This is distinguishable from the green parrots of the plains by having the head, neck, breast, and upper back dove-coloured. It has none of the aggressive habits of its brethren of the plains. It keeps mainly to dense forests. Jerdon describes its cry as "mellow, subdued, and agreeable." It is the prima donna of the Psittaci.

Another member of the parrot family found on the Nilgiris is the Indian loriquet, or love-bird or pigmy parrot (_Loriculus vernalis_). This is a short-tailed bird about the size of a sparrow. It is grass green in colour, save for the red beak, a large crimson patch on the rump, and a small blue patch on the throat. This species does not obtrude itself on the observer. It is seen in cages more often than in a state of nature. It sleeps with the head hanging down after the manner of bats, hence Finn calls this pretty little bird the bat-parrot.

THE STRIGIDAE OR OWL FAMILY

Owls, like woodpeckers, do not patronise the Nilgiris very largely. The only owl that commonly makes itself heard on those mountains is the brown wood-owl (_Syrnium indrani_). This is the bird which perches on the roof of the house at night and calls _to-whoo_.

Occasionally, especially round about Ootacamund, the grunting _ur-ur-ur-ur_ of the brown fish-owl (_Ketupa zeylonensis_) disturbs the silence of the night on the Nilgiris.

THE VULTURIDAE OR VULTURE FAMILY

Only four species of vulture occur on the hills of South India. One of these is the smaller white scavenger vulture (_Neophron ginginianus_), which is probably the ugliest bird in the world. Its plumage is dirty white, except the tips of the wings, which are black. The head is not bald, as is the case with most vultures; it is covered with projecting feathers that form an exceedingly bedraggled crest. The bill, the naked face, and the legs are yellow. This vulture is popularly known as the shawk or Pharaoh's chicken. Young scavenger vultures are sooty brown.

The other three vultures common on the Nilgiris are the Pondicherry vulture (_Otogyps calvus_), the long-billed vulture (_Gyps indicus_), and the white-backed vulture (_Pseudogyps bengalensis_). The first is easily identified by means of its white waistcoat, a patch of white on the thighs, and large red wattles that hang down like the ears of a blood-hound. With the above exceptions the plumage is black.

The long-billed vulture is of a uniform brown-grey colour.

The white-backed vulture is a dark brown, almost black, bird, with a white back and a broad white band on the under surface of each wing, which is very noticeable when the bird is soaring high in the air on the watch for carrion.

The two commonest vultures of the Nilgiris are the scavenger and the white-backed species.

THE FALCONIDAE OR FAMILY OF BIRDS OF PREY

The raptores are not very strongly represented on the Nilgiris. The only two eagles likely to be seen are Bonelli's eagle (_Hieraetus fasciatus_) and the black eagle (_Ictinaetus malayensis_). The plumage of the latter is of much darker hue than that of the former.

Bonelli's eagle is a bold bird that works great havoc among tame pigeons. It sometimes carries off a barnyard fowl.

The black eagle is content with smaller quarry: young birds, rats, and snakes, seem to constitute the chief articles of its diet.

Needless to state, the common pariah kite (_Milvus govinda_) is found on the Nilgiris. This useful bird usually sails in graceful circles high overhead, looking for food. Its cry is not heard so frequently on those hills as in the Himalayas, the reason being the different configuration of the two ranges. The Nilgiris are undulating and downlike, hence the kites are able, while hovering higher than the summits of the hills, to see what is happening in the valleys. In the Himalayas they cannot do this, because the valleys are usually deep. The kites, therefore, sail there at a lower level than the hill-tops, and their plaintive _chee-hee-hee-hee-hee_ is heard throughout the day. It is not a very cheerful sound, so that in this respect the Nilgiris have an advantage over the Himalayas.

The majority of the kites appear to migrate from the Nilgiris during the south-west monsoon.

The Brahmany kite (_Haliastur indus_)--the handsome kite with white head and breast and rich chestnut-red wings--is sometimes seen on the Nilgiris, but scarcely sufficiently often to merit a place among the common birds.

The three remaining raptores that are of frequent occurrence on the hills of South India are the shikra (_Astur badius_), the crested goshawk (_Lophospizias trivirgatus_), and the kestrel (_Tinnunculus alaudarius_). The shikra is very like the brain-fever bird in appearance. It is a little smaller than the common house-crow. The upper plumage is ashy grey. The tail is of the same hue, but with broad dark brown cross-bars. In young birds the breast is white with dark drops; in older birds the drops become replaced by wavy rust-coloured cross-bars. The eye is bright yellow, as is the cere or base of the beak. The crested goshawk may be described in brief as a large shikra with a crest.

The kestrel is the bird known in England as the windhover, on account of its habit of hovering in mid-air on rapidly-vibrating wings before pouncing on the lizard or other small fry, for which it is ever on the watch. This species is about the same size as the shikra. The head, neck, and tail are grey; the back and wings are dull red. The lower parts are cream-coloured, spotted with brown.

THE COLUMBIDAE OR DOVE FAMILY

Jerdon's imperial pigeon (_Ducula cuprea_) is a beautiful bird 17 inches long, of which the tail accounts for 7 inches. The prevailing hue of this pigeon is grey. The head, breast, abdomen, and neck are suffused with lilac. The back and wings are olive brown. The legs are dull lake red, as is the bill, except the tip, which is blue. This fine bird is confined to dense forest; it is said to be fond of the wild nutmeg.

The Nilgiri wood-pigeon (_Alsocomus elphistonii_) is another forest-haunting bird. Its prevailing hue is dove grey, with a beautiful gloss on the back, which appears lilac in some lights and green in others. The only other ornament in its plumage is a black-and-white shepherd's plaid tippet. The wood-pigeon is as large as the imperial pigeon. Of the doves, that which is most often seen on the Nilgiris is the spotted dove (_Turtur suratensis_). This is easily distinguished from the other members of the family by its reddish wings spotted with dark brown and pale buff. The only other dove likely to be seen at the Nilgiri hill stations is the little brown dove (_T. cambayensis_), which utters a five-or-six-syllabled coo.

THE PHASIANIDAE OR PHEASANT FAMILY

This important family includes the pea- and the jungle-fowl and the various pheasants.

The peacock is not found at altitudes above 4000 feet.

Jungle-fowl are abundant on the Nilgiris. He who keeps his eyes open may occasionally see one of these birds running across a road in the hills. This must not lead the observer to think that jungle-fowl spend most of their time in sprinting across roads. The fact of the matter is that the fowl tribe do not appreciate their food unless they have to scratch for it. Paths and roads are highly scratchable objects, hence they are largely resorted to for food; further, they are used for the purpose of the daily dust-bath in which every self-respecting fowl indulges. If these birds are disturbed when feeding or bathing, they do not make for the nearest cover as most other birds do: they insist on running across the road, thereby giving the grateful sportsman a clear shot. The domestic rooster has the same habit. So has the Indian child. To test the truth of these assertions, it is only necessary to drive briskly along a street at the side of which children or fowls are playing in perfect safety. At the sight of the horse, the child or hen, as the case may be, makes a dash for the far side of the road, and passes almost under the horse's nose. The fowl always gets across safely. The child is not so fortunate.

Two species of jungle-fowl have partitioned the Indian peninsula between them. The red species (_Gallus ferrugineus_) has appropriated the part of India which lies between Kashmir and the Godavery; while the grey jungle-fowl (_G. sonnerati_) has possessed itself of the territory south of the Godavery. The third jungle-fowl (_G. lafayetti_) has to be content with Ceylon, but the size of its name very nearly makes up for its deficiency in acres!

Davison is my authority for stating that the _Strobilanthes whitiani_, which constitutes the main undergrowth of many of the forests of the Nilgiris, seeds only once in about seven years, and that when this plant is seeding the grey jungle-fowl assemble in vast numbers to feed on the seed. They collect in the same way for the sake of bamboo seeds. The crow of the cock, which is heard chiefly in the morning and the evening, is not like that of the red jungle-fowl. It has been syllabised _kuk-kah-kah-kaha-kuk_. The call of the hen may be expressed by the syllables _kukkun-kukkun_.

The red spur-fowl (_Galloperdix spadicea_) is perhaps the most abundant game bird of the Nilgiris. It is quite partridge-like in shape. Both sexes have red legs and a patch of red skin round the eye. The feathers of the cock are dull red with blue edges, while those of the hen are black with broad buff margins. The cock may be described as a dull red bird with a grey head and some buff scale-like markings, and the hen as a grey bird, heavily barred with black.

The only quail commonly seen on the Nilgiris is the painted bush-quail (_Microperdix erythrorhynchus_). A bird in shape like a partridge, but not much larger than a sparrow, is probably this species. The prevailing hue is umber brown with coarse black blotches. The cock has the breast white and the head black with a white eyebrow. The head of the hen is dull red. The bill, legs, and feet of both sexes are red.

THE CHARADRIIDAE OR PLOVER FAMILY

This very large family includes the plovers, sandpipers, and snipes. It is not very well represented on the Nilgiris. In winter snipe and woodcock visit those mountains and afford good sport to the human residents, but all have gone northward long before the summer visitors arrive.

Several species of sandpiper likewise visit the Nilgiris in winter; one of these--the wood sandpiper (_Totanus glareola_)--tarries on until after the beginning of summer. This is a bird as large as a dove; its plumage is speckled brown and white. It looks somewhat like a snipe with a short bill. It lives on the margins of ponds and constantly wags its apology for a tail.

THE RALLIDAE OR RAIL FAMILY

The rails are not well represented on the Nilgiris.

The water-hen (_Gallinula chloropus_) is common on the lake at Ootacamund. This is an olive-green bird about the size of a pigeon. Its bill and forehead are red; there is a patch of white under the tail. This species swims like a duck.

Another rail which may be seen sometimes in the Botanical Gardens at Ootacamund is the white-breasted water-hen (_Amaurornis phoenicurus_). This is a black bird with the face, throat, and breast white. There is a chestnut-hued patch under the tail.

THE ARDEIDAE OR HERON FAMILY

Almost the only member of the heron family that visits the Nilgiri hill stations is the pond-heron or paddy-bird (_Ardeola grayii_).

A colony of these birds pursues its avocations on the margin of the lake at Ootacamund, but I believe that I am right in saying that the paddy-birds of Ootacamund go to the plains for nesting purposes.

_PART III_ _The Common Birds of the Palni Hills_

_THE COMMON BIRDS OF THE PALNI HILLS_

For the benefit of those who visit Kodikanal I have compiled a list of the birds most commonly seen at altitudes of over 5000 feet in the Palni hills. I must here state that I have no first-hand knowledge of the avifauna of those hills, and the list that follows is based on the observations of Dr. Fairbank, made nearly 40 years ago.

The avifauna of the Palni is a comparatively restricted one: which is in part doubtless explained by the comparatively small area of the higher ranges that is covered by forest.

The great majority of the birds that follow have been described in the chapter on the birds of the Nilgiris, and I have contented myself with merely naming such.

THE CORVIDAE OR CROW FAMILY

1. _Corvus macrorhynchus_. The Indian corby. This is not very abundant above 5500 feet.

2. _Dendrocitta rufa_. The tree-pie. This does not appear to occur above 5000 feet.

3. _Machlolophus haplonotus_. The southern yellow tit. Occurs at Kodikanal, but is not very common there.

THE CRATEROPODIDAE OR BABBLER FAMILY

4. _Crateropus canorus_. The jungle babbler. This rarely ascends higher than 5000 feet.

5. _Trochalopterum fairbanki_. The Palni laughing-thrush. This species is peculiar to the Palnis and the Anamallis. The head is very dark brown, almost black, with a broad white eyebrow. The cheeks are grey, as are the chin, throat, and breast. The back, wings, and tail are olive brown tinged with rusty red. The abdomen is bright rufous. The noisy cries of this bird are among the most familiar sounds of Kodikanal. It is destructive to peaches and raspberries.

6. _Pomatorhinus horsfieldi_. The southern scimitar-babbler. This is not nearly so abundant on the Palnis as on the Nilgiris.

7. _Zosterops palpebrosa_. The Indian white-eye. A common bird.

8. _Iole icteria_. The yellow-browed bulbul. _Otocompsa fuscicaudata_. The southern red-whiskered bulbul or hill-bulbul. As in the Nilgiris so in the Palnis, this is the most abundant bird on the higher hills.

9. _Molpastes haemorrhous_. The Madras red-vented bulbul. The higher one ascends, the rarer this bird becomes.

10. _Hypsipetes ganeesa_. The southern black bulbul.

11. _Myiophoneus horsfieldi_. The Malabar whistling-thrush or idle schoolboy. This fine but shy bird is found on the streams up to 6000 feet. It is a bird as large as a crow, with glossy black plumage, in which are patches of bright cobalt blue.

It is better known to the ear than to the eye. It emits a number of cheerful whistling notes.

THE SITTIDAE OR NUTHATCH FAMILY

12. _Sitta frontalis_. The velvet-fronted blue nuthatch. This bird is found in every part of the Palnis where there are trees.

THE DICRURIDAE OR DRONGO FAMILY

13. _Chaptia aenea_. The bronzed drongo. This species is not often seen at altitudes of more than 5000 feet above sea-level.

It is like the common king-crow in appearance, but the plumage is glossed with a bronze sheen, and the tail is less markedly forked.

THE SYLVIIDAE OR WARBLER FAMILY

14. _Orthotomus sartorius_. The tailor bird. This has been seen as high as 5500 feet above the sea-level.

15. _Prinia socialis_. The ashy wren-warbler.

16. _Prinia inorata_. The Indian wren-warbler. This is very like the ashy wren-warbler in appearance. Its upper plumage is earthy-brown, and not reddish brown, and it does not make during flight the curious snapping noise so characteristic of _P. socialis_.

THE LANIIDAE OR SHRIKE FAMILY

17. _Lanius erythronotus_. The rufous-backed shrike.

18. _Pericrocotus flammeus_. The orange minivet. This beautiful bird occurs from the bottom to the top of the Palnis.

19. _Pericrocotus peregrinus_. The little minivet. This is a bird of the plains rather than of the hills. But as Fairbank observed it in the Palnis as high as 5000 feet, it is given a place in this list. _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 bar, tail black with red tip.

This species is smaller than a sparrow, but the tail is 3 inches long.

THE ORIOLIDAE OR ORIOLE FAMILY

20. _Oriolus melanocephalus_. The black-headed oriole. This species has been seen as high as 5000 feet above the sea-level. The cock is bright yellow, with a black head and some black in the wings and tail. The hen is of a much duller yellow and has the back tinged with green.

THE STURNIDAE OR STARLING FAMILY

Fairbank does not mention the jungle myna (_AEthiopsar fuscus_) in his list of the birds of the Palnis (_Stray Feathers_, vol. v, 1877). Yet this is precisely the myna one would expect to find on the Palnis, and it should be looked for.

21. On the other hand, the Brahmany myna (_Temenuchus pagodarum_), which is essentially a bird of the plains, is said by Fairbank to occur "well up the hillsides."

Of the common myna (_Acridotheres tristis_), he writes: "This is common around villages at 4000 feet."

22. _Temenuchus pagodarum_. The Brahmany myna. Head and recumbent crest black. Wings black and grey. Tail brown with a white tip. Remainder of plumage rich buff. Beak blue with yellow tip. Legs bright yellow.

THE EULABETIDAE OR GRACKLE FAMILY

23. _Eulabes religiosa_. The southern grackle or hill-myna. This bird occurs in the forests of the Palnis between elevations of 4000 and 5000 feet. It is familiar to every one as a cage bird. A glossy black bird with a white wing bar. The wattles, legs, and bill are yellow.

THE MUSCICAPIDAE OR FLYCATCHER FAMILY

24. _Ochromela nigrirufa_. The black-and-orange flycatcher.

25. _Stoparola albicaudata_. The Nilgiri blue-flycatcher.

26. _Cyornis tickelli_. Tickell's blue-flycatcher. Less common than on the Nilgiris.

27. _Culicicapa ceylonensis_. The grey-headed flycatcher.

28. _Rhipidura albifrontata_. The white-browed fantail flycatcher. Fairbank did not find this bird at altitudes over 4000 feet.

THE TURDIDAE OR THRUSH FAMILY

29. _Pratincola atrata_. The southern pied bush-chat or hill-robin. Not nearly so abundant on the Palnis as on the Nilgiris.

30. _Merula simillima_. The Nilgiri blackbird. In spring its delightful song gladdens the groves of the higher Palnis.

31. _Copschychus saularis_. The magpie-robin. Has been observed as high as 5000 feet. The cock is black, and the hen grey, with a white breast and white in the wings and tail. The distribution of the black and white is like that in the common magpie.

THE FRINGILLIDAE OR FINCH FAMILY

32. _Passer domesticus_. The common sparrow. Does not occur much above 5000 feet.

THE HIRUNDINIDAE OR SWALLOW FAMILY

33. _Hirunda javanica_. The Nilgiri house-swallow.

THE MOTACILLIDAE OR WAGTAIL FAMILY

34. _Anthus nilgirensis_. The Nilgiri pipit. Common on the grassy fields at the summit of the Palnis.

THE NECTARINIDAE OR SUNBIRD FAMILY

35. _Arachnecthra minima_. The tiny sunbird or honeysucker. Common from 4000 feet upwards.

THE DICAEIDAE OR FLOWER-PECKER FAMILY

36. _Dicaeum concolor_. The Nilgiri flower-pecker. This frequents the flowers of the parasitic _Loranthus_.

37. _Dicaeum erythrorhynchus_. Tickell's flower-pecker. This species does not appear to ascend the Palnis to any great height. It is abundant at the foot of the hills.

THE PICIDAE OR WOODPECKER FAMILY

38. _Chrysocolaptes gutticristatus_. Tickell's golden-backed woodpecker. As in the Nilgiris so in the Palnis, this is the common woodpecker.

39. _Brachypternus aurantius_. The golden-backed woodpecker. This is the common woodpecker of the plains: it ascends the Palnis to elevations of 5000 feet. This is distinguishable from the foregoing species by its smaller size, and in having the rump velvety black instead of crimson.

40. _Liopicus mahrattensis_. The yellow-fronted pied woodpecker. This plains species ascends the Palnis to elevations of 5000 feet. It is much smaller than either of the two foregoing species. The plumage is spotted black and white, with a patch of red on the abdomen. There is a yellow patch on the forehead. The cock has a short red crest.

THE CAPITONIDAE OR BARBET FAMILY

41. _Thereiceryx viridis_. The small green barbet. (The coppersmith does not ascend higher than 4000 feet.)

THE ALCEDINIDAE OR KINGFISHER FAMILY

42. The only kingfisher found in the Palnis seems to be the white-breasted kingfisher (_Halcyon smyrnensis_), but this species is confined to the lower hills.

THE UPUPIDAE OR HOOPOE FAMILY

43. The Indian hoopoe (_Upupa indica_) occurs on the lower ranges, but does not appear to ascend the hills as far as Kodikanal.

THE CYPSELIDAE OR SWIFT FAMILY

44. Swifts are not abundant in the Palnis. The only one observed by Fairbank was the common Indian swift (_Cypselus affinis_), seen at an elevation of 3000 feet. This is easily distinguished by the white band across the rump.

THE CUCULIDAE OR CUCKOO FAMILY

45. _Hierococcyx varius_. The hawk-cuckoo.

46. _Eudynamis honorata_. The Indian koel. This species is not common on the Palnis.

47. _Centropus sinensis_. The common coucal or crow-pheasant. This is not very common.

THE PSITTACIDAE OR PARROT FAMILY

48. _Palaeornis columboides_. The blue-winged paroquet.

49. _Loriculus vernalis_. The Indian loriquet or love-bird.

THE STRIGIDAE OR OWL FAMILY

50. _Ketupa zeylonensis_. The brown fish-owl. A large bird with aigrettes. The eyes are bright yellow. The legs are devoid of feathers. The call is a series of grunts.

THE VULTURIDAE OR VULTURE FAMILY

51. _Neophron ginginianus_. The smaller white scavenger vulture. This occurs up to at least 5000 feet. Fairbank did not observe any other vultures on the higher hills, but it is unlikely that _Pseudogyps bengalensis_ (the white-backed vulture), _Gyps indicus_ (the long-billed vulture), and _Otogyps calvus_ (the black or Pondicherry vulture) do not visit the higher hills. These three birds should be looked for, especially the first.

THE FALCONIDAE OR FAMILY OF BIRDS OF PREY

52. _Ictinaetus malayensis_. The black eagle. Not very common.

53. _Milvus govinda_. The common pariah kite. Fairbank did not see this above 3000 feet.

54. _Haliastur indus_. The Brahmany kite. Occurs up to at least 4000 feet.

55. _Tinnunculus alaudarius_. The kestrel.

THE COLUMBIDAE OR DOVE FAMILY

56. _Alsocomus elphistonii_. The Nilgiri wood-pigeon.

The spotted and the little brown doves (_Turtur suratensis_ and _T. cambayensis_) are found only on the lower hills.

THE PHASIANIDAE OR PHEASANT FAMILY

57. _Gallus sonnerati_. The grey jungle fowl. Not so common as on the Nilgiris.

58. _Galloperdix spadicea_. The red spur-fowl. Not common.

59. _Microperdix erythrorhynchus_. The painted bush-quail.

THE CHARADRIIDAE OR PLOVER FAMILY

A few snipe and woodcock visit the Palnis in winter.

THE PODICIPEDIDAE OR GREBE FAMILY

60. _Podicipes albipennis_. The little grebe or dabchick. This bird never leaves the water. It is smaller than a dove. It has no tail. It is dark glossy brown in colour with chestnut on the sides of the neck.

_APPENDICES_ _I. Vernacular Names of Himalayan Birds_ _II. Vernacular Names of Nilgiri Birds_

_I. VERNACULAR NAMES OF HIMALAYAN BIRDS_

Ababil . . . . . . . swallow

Akku . . . . . . . . common cuckoo

Argul . . . . . . . lammergeyer

Ban-bakra . . . . . black bulbul, rusty-cheeked scimitar-babbler

Ban-sarrah . . . . . black-throated jay

Ban-titar . . . . . hill partridge

Bara bharao . . . . large hawk-cuckoo

Batasi . . . . . . . Indian swift

Bater . . . . . . . quail

Bhimraj . . . . . . racquet-tailed drongo

Boukotako . . . . . Indian cuckoo

Bulaka . . . . . . . brown wood-owl

Bulbul . . . . . . . bulbul

Bunchil . . . . . . cheer pheasant

Chakru . . . . . . . chakor partridge

Chaman . . . . . . . cheer pheasant

Chanjarol . . . . . woodcock

Chil . . . . . . . . kite

Chir . . . . . . . . cheer pheasant

Chitla . . . . . . . spotted dove

Chitroka fakhta . . spotted dove

Chota fakhta . . . . little brown dove

Chukar . . . . . . . chakor partridge

Digg-dall . . . . . blue magpie

Dhal kowa . . . . . corby

Dhor fakhta . . . . ring-dove

Dogra chil . . . . . crested serpent eagle

Durkal . . . . . . . black bulbul

Gagi . . . . . . . . slaty-headed paroquet

Gidh . . . . . . . . vulture

Gir-chaondia . . . . white-capped redstart

Gonriya . . . . . . house-sparrow

Gugi . . . . . . . . ring-dove

Herril . . . . . . . cheer pheasant

Hud-hud . . . . . . hoopoe

Il . . . . . . . . . kite

Jel butara . . . . . Himalayan pied kingfisher

Jumiz . . . . . . . imperial eagle

Kabk . . . . . . . . chakor partridge

Kaindal . . . . . . hill partridge

Kalesur . . . . . . kalij pheasant

Kalij . . . . . . . kalij pheasant

Kali-pholia . . . . white-capped redstart

Kaljit . . . . . . . Himalayan whistling-thrush

Kangskiri . . . . . spotted dove

Kastura . . . . . . Himalayan whistling-thrush, grey-winged ouzel

Kasturi . . . . . . grey-winged ouzel

Koak . . . . . . . . koklas pheasant

Koin . . . . . . . . Indian turtle-dove

Kokia-kak . . . . . Himalayan tree-pie

Kokla . . . . . . . kokla green-pigeon, koklas pheasant

Koklas . . . . . . . koklas pheasant

Kolsa . . . . . . . kalij pheasant

Krishen-patti . . . blue-headed rock-thrush

Kuil . . . . . . . . koel

Kukera . . . . . . . kalij pheasant

Kukku . . . . . . . cuckoo

Kukrola . . . . . . koklas pheasant

Kupak . . . . . . . common hawk-cuckoo

Kupwah . . . . . . . cuckoo

Kyphulpakka . . . . Indian cuckoo

Kyphulpakki . . . . Indian cuckoo

Machi bagh . . . . . Himalayan pied kingfisher

Madana suga . . . . slaty-headed paroquet

Maina . . . . . . . myna

Miouli . . . . . . . great Himalayan barbet

Mohrhaita . . . . . changeable hawk-eagle

Moraugi . . . . . . Bonelli's eagle

Neoul . . . . . . . great Himalayan barbet

Nilkant . . . . . . blue magpie

Niltau . . . . . . . rufous-bellied niltava

Okhab . . . . . . . lammergeyer

Pahari maina . . . . jungle myna

Pahari tuiya . . . . slaty-headed paroquet

Painju . . . . . . . white-cheeked bulbul

Panduk . . . . . . . dove

Patariya masaicha . grey-winged ouzel

Perki . . . . . . . dove

Peunra . . . . . . . hill partridge

Phupu . . . . . . . cuckoo

Pilak . . . . . . . oriole

Plas . . . . . . . . koklas pheasant

Pokras . . . . . . . koklas pheasant

Popiya . . . . . . . common hawk-cuckoo

Puli . . . . . . . . spotted wing

Ram chakru . . . . . hill partridge

Roli . . . . . . . . hill partridge

Sadal . . . . . . . changeable hawk-eagle

Safed gidh . . . . . scavenger vulture

Sahili . . . . . . . scarlet minivet

Sahim . . . . . . . ashy drongo

Sakdudu . . . . . . hoopoe

Satangal . . . . . . imperial eagle

Shah bulbul . . . . paradise flycatcher

Sibia . . . . . . . sibia

Sim kukra . . . . . woodcock

Sim tital . . . . . woodcock

Takpo . . . . . . . Indian cuckoo

Toitru fakhta . . . little brown dove

Traiho . . . . . . . great Himalayan barbet

Tuktola . . . . . . Western-Himalayan scaly-bellied green woodpecker

Turkan . . . . . . . Western-Himalayan pied woodpecker

Tusal . . . . . . . bar-tailed cuckoo-dove

Tutitar . . . . . . woodcock

Ulak . . . . . . . . corby

Zakki . . . . . . . brown flycatcher

Zird phutki . . . . grey-headed flycatcher

_II. VERNACULAR NAMES OF NILGIRI BIRDS_

Adavikodi . . . . . grey jungle-fowl

Adavi nalla gedda . black eagle

Adiki lam kuravi . . sparrow

Boli kadi . . . . . white-breasted water-hen

Boli kodi . . . . . moorhen

Buchi gadu . . . . . white-breasted kingfisher

Buruta pitta . . . . Indian skylark

Chandul . . . . . . crested lark

Chilluka . . . . . . paroquet

Chinna ulanka . . . wood sandpiper

Chinna wallur . . . shikra

Chitlu jitta . . . . Nilgiri flower-pecker

Chitti bella guwa . little brown dove

Dasari pitta . . . . scimitar-babbler, fantail flycatcher

Garud alawa . . . . Brahmany kite

Garuda mantaru . . . Brahmany kite

Gola kokila . . . . pied crested cuckoo

Goranka . . . . . . common myna

Gudi konga . . . . . paddy bird

Guli gadu . . . . . white-backed vulture

Gurapa madi jitta . Indian pipit

Jali dega . . . . . shikra

Jambri kodi . . . . moorhen

Jitta kodi . . . . . red spear-fowl

Jutu pitta . . . . . crested lark

Kadai . . . . . . . painted bush quail

Kakka . . . . . . . black crow

Kakki . . . . . . . black crow

Kakkara jinuwayi . . spotted munia

Kalli kaka . . . . . crow-pheasant

Kalu prandu . . . . kite

Kaltu koli . . . . . grey jungle-fowl

Killi . . . . . . . paroquet

Kokku . . . . . . . paddy bird

Konda lati . . . . . red-vented bulbul

Kumpa nalanchi . . . pied bush-chat

Kundeli salawa . . . Bonelli's eagle

Kutti pitta . . . . hawk-cuckoo

Lak muka . . . . . . white-breasted kingfisher

Likku jitta . . . . tailor-bird

Machayarya . . . . . fantail flycatcher

Malla gedda . . . . kite

Manam badi . . . . . Indian skylark

Manati . . . . . . . fantail flycatcher

Manju tiridi . . . . scavenger vulture

Meta kali . . . . . Indian pipit

Namala pitta . . . . scimitar-babbler

Nella borawa . . . . Pondicherry vulture

Niala pichiki . . . Indian skylark

Nila buchi gadu . . common kingfisher

Papa . . . . . . . . scavenger vulture

Papa parundu . . . . scavenger vulture

Paria prandu . . . . kite

Pedda sida . . . . . jungle babbler

Pigli pitta . . . . red-vented bulbul

Pit pitta . . . . . ashy wren-warbler

Pittri gedda . . . . scavenger vulture

Poda bella guwa . . spotted dove

Puli pora . . . . . spotted dove

Rajali . . . . . . . Bonelli's eagle

Sarrava koli . . . . red spur-fowl

Sowata guwa . . . . little brown dove

Tangada goranka . . pied crested cuckoo

Tella borawa . . . . scavenger vulture

Than kudi . . . . . sunbird

Tinna kuruvi . . . . spotted munia

Tondala doshi gadu . kestrel

Tondala muchi gedda kestrel

Tonka pigli pitta . paradise flycatcher

Torra jinuwayi . . . red munia

Touta pora . . . . . little brown dove

Turaka pigli pitta . hill or red-whiskered bulbul

Uri pichiki . . . . sparrow

Vichuli . . . . . . white-breasted kingfisher

Wal konda lati . . . paradise flycatcher

Yerra belinchi . . . rufous-backed shrike

Yerra kodi . . . . . red spur-fowl

INDEX

Abrornis superciliaris, 113

Accipiter cooperi, 171

Aceros nepalensis, 122

Acridotheres tristis, 60, 199, 240

Actinodura egertoni, 110

AEgithaliscus erythrocephalus, 41, 106

AEthiopsar fuscus, 61, 199, 239

AEthopyga nepalensis, 119

-- scheriae, 76

Alauda gulgula, 210

ALAUDIDAE, 210

ALCEDINIDAE, 79, 121, 215, 243

Alcedo ispida, 215

Alcippe nepalensis, 109

Alcurus striatus, 112

Alder, 22

Almora, 22, 29, 41 _seq._, 51, 54, 59, 65, 67, 87, 97

Alseonax latirostris, 63, 115

Alsocomus elphistonii, 226, 246

Amadavat, 205

Amaranthus, 25

Amaurornis phoenicurus, 230

Anamallis, 236

Andaman Islands, 217

Anemone, 18, 25

"Animal colouration," 171

Anthipes moniliger, 116

Anthus nilgirensis, 209

-- rufulus, 209

Aquila helica, 125

Arachnecthra asiatica, 210

-- lotenia, 212

-- minima, 211, 242

-- zeylonica, 212

Arboricola torqueola, 104, 126

ARDEIDAE, 230

Ardeola grayii, 231

Argul, 92

Arisaema jacque-montii, 53

Astur badius, 224

Babblers, 42 _seq._, 48, 107, 109, 111, 187, 236

Babul, 16

Bageswar, 23

Baker, Stuart, 84

Baldwin, 100

Banbakra, 45, 143

Barakheri stream, 20

Barbets, 26, 79, 121, 174 _seq._, 214, 243

Bar-wing, rufous, 110

Bee-eater, 27

Begonia, 17

Benog, 102

Berberry, 17

Bhabar, 15

Bhimraj, 55

Bhim Tal, 20

Bhotias, 23

Birch, 17

"Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin," 142

Birds of prey, 125

Blanford, 85

Blood-pheasant, 99

Blue jay, 27

Borax, 23

Boukotako, 85

Brachypodinae, 138

Brachypternus aurantius, 243

Brain-fever bird, 83, 86, 219

British Museum, 172

Broken Pekoe Bird, 85

BUCEROTIDAE, 122

Bulbul, 27, 35, 42, 49, 50 _seq._, 112, 138

Buller, Sir Walter, 171

Buntings, 72

Burma, 152

Bush-chat, 66 _seq._

Butcher-birds, 56

Caccabis chucar, 103

Calls of birds, 36

Campophaga melanoschista, 114

Cape, the, 18

CAPITONIDAE, 79, 121, 214, 243

CAPRIMULGIDAE, 218

Carpodacus erythrinus, 207

Catreus wellichi, 101

Centauria, 18, 25

Centropus sinensis, 219, 244

Cephalopyrus flammiceps, 48

Certhia discolor, 113

-- himalayana, 55

CERTHIIDAE, 55, 113

Ceryle lugubris, 79, 121

Chaetura indica, 216

-- nudipes, 123

Chakor, 103

Chalcophaps indica, 98

Chaptia aenea, 237

CHARADRIIDAE, 104, 126, 229, 246

Cheer, 100

Chimarrhornis leucocephalus, 69

Chloropsis malabarica, 191

Choughs, 25, 29, 30, 106

Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus, 83

Chrysocolaptes gutticristatus, 214, 242

Coccystes jacobinus, 219

Collocalia francicia, 217

-- fuciphaga, 217

Colorado, 18

Colt's-foot, 17, 25

COLUMBIDAE, 97, 125, 225, 246

Columbines, 17, 25

Coonoor, 186, 196, 199, 206 _seq._, 212, 214

Coppersmith, 26, 215

Copschychus saularis, 241

Coracias indica, 32

Corby, 26, 29

CORVIDAE, 29, 105, 185, 235

Corvus macrorhyncus, 29, 105, 185, 235

-- splendens, 29, 87

Coturnix communis, 102, 126

Coucal, 219

CRATEROPODIDAE, 42, 49, 107, 187, 236

Crateropus canorus, 188

Crow, 105, 235

-- black, 35

-- grey-necked, 22