LIST OF BIRDS FOUND IN AND ABOUT MADRAS. 493 



1091. Caprimulgus asiaticus. — The Common Indian Nightjar. — I 

 do not remember having heard this bird, but it does occur within 

 Municipal limits, for Mr. D. G. Hatchell tells me that he has seen it in 

 his compound. 



1.104:. Cuculns canorus. — The Cuckoo. — It is only on very rare 

 occasions that this bird visits Madras. 



1109. Hierococcyx varius. — The Common Hawk-Cuckoo. — This bird 

 does not often visit Madras. I can call to mind having heard its call 

 but once during my 18 months sojourn in Madras. 



1118. Coccystes jacobinus. — The Pied Crested Cuckoo. — Tins bird 

 cannot be said to be abundant about Madras. Now and again one notices 

 a noisy flock of pied crested cuckoos. The birds seem to be always on 

 the move. 



1119. Coccystes coramandus. — The Red-winged Crested Cuckoo. — 

 This handsome bird is not very often seen in Madras. One was re- 

 cently caught in the compound of Colonel Carruthers, I. M.S. He 

 put it into his aviary. It was exceedingly shy. I have seen it in 

 Guindy Park. It is probably commoner than is supposed. During 

 flight it looks very like a cock koel. 



1120. Eudynamis honorata. — The Indian Koel. — This bird is nearly 

 as common in Madras as the grey-necked crow, and is proof positive 

 that Mrs. Corvus splendens is a very good mother. 



1130. Centropus sinensis. — The Crow-Pheasant. — This is a common 

 bird ; one living in almost every garden of any size. 



1188. Palceomis torquatus. — The Rose-ringed Paroquet. — A com- 

 mon bird, in the cold weather, it is much less frequently seen in the hot 

 months. 



1139. Palceomis cyanocephalus. — The Western Blossom-headed 

 Paroquet. — This is not so common in Madras as the last species. 



1152. Strix flammea. — The Barn Owl. 



1157. Asio accipitvinus. — The Short-eared Owl. — This bird is, 1 

 think, fairly common. One usually comes across it while out shooting. 

 I saw one bird sitting in the middle of the polo-ground about 4 p.m. 

 It let me come within half a dozen yards of it before it flew away. 

 It then settled down again on the polo -ground and made no attempt 

 to conceal itself. 



1161. Syrnium ocellatum. — The Mottled Wood-Owl. 



1173. Scops gin. — The Scops Owl. 



1180. Athene brama. — The Spotted Owlet. — This bird is, of course, 

 exceedingly abundant. 



