254 JUNGLE FOLK 



to preserve its greenness the crows are thoroughly 

 enjoying their evening bath. 



On the sandy path is a company of green bee- 

 eaters (Merops viridis) engaged in dust-bath opera- 

 tions. 



Overhead the swifts — our Httle land albatrosses — 

 are dashing hither and thither at full speed, revelling 

 in the abundant insect life called forth by the fading 

 light, and making the welkin ring with their " shivering 

 screams." Flying along with the swifts are some 

 sand-martins (Cottle sinensis), easily distinguishable 

 by their slower and more laboured motion. 



High above the sphere of action of the swifts and 

 martins are numbers of kites and vultures, sailing in 

 circles on their quest for the wherewithal to satisfy 

 their insatiable appetite. 



As the darkness begins to gather these birds, one and 

 all, put more energy into their movements. Each 

 seems to be aware of the rapid approach of the night 

 when work must cease, and each appears fully 

 determined not to lose a moment of the precious 

 daylight. 



While the sun is still well above the horizon great 

 flocks of mjnias sweep swiftly overhead towards the 

 dense clump of bamboo bushes in which they will 

 spend the night. They are joined by other species 

 of starling. Before settling among the bamboos they 

 perch in trees hard by, and make a joyful noise ; 

 every now and then some of the throng take to their 

 wings and perform, hke trained soldiers, a series of 

 rapid evolutions. When at length the gloom compels 



