Indian Birds 



a saucer-shaped structure made of mud, bits 

 of straw, feathers, etc., usually fixed on to a 

 wall under an eave, sometimes in a deserted 

 temple or mosque. (lUus. B. B., p. 35.) 



125. Tachornishatassiensis : The Palm-swift 

 (F. 1075), J. 102), (- I.) 



A brownish-black bird. Its habits are like 

 those of No. 124, except that its flight is less 

 swift and it is rarely found away from palm 

 trees. It attaches its nest to the under side 

 of a palm leaf, or a betel-nut leaf. 



The Nightjars, 126 and 127 

 These birds are very nocturnal in their 

 habits, so, like the heroine of The Diary of a 

 Bad Girl, they are heard and not seen. 



They are characterised by the large mouth, 

 which enables them to secure their insect 

 quarry while they are on the wing. They 

 usually lie up during the day on the ground in 

 some secluded spot. 



126. Caprimulgus asiaticus : The Common 

 Indian Nightjar, or Goatsucker. (F. 1091), 



(J. 112), (+11.) 



Upper parts greyish brown, lower parts 

 reddish brown, every feather being marked by 

 a number of narrow blackish cross bars. 

 168 



