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Althea R. Sherman,



and saw another feed her brood in a quarry “ shoot ” wall. Tons of

dusty granite must have been trundled over this shoot hourly for

eight hours at a stretch, and apparently workmen did not notice the

brood. This bird behaves much like a Redstart.


Spotted Flycatcher.— Numerous everywhere. Bred right into

Suburbia. »


Great Grey Shrikes. — Heard of its occurrence in wide apart

localities during the winter.


Redbackecl Shrike. —Saw pairs at usual spots. Absent in

meadows and fences where hedges were trimmed, or where camps had

been instituted. This bird when rearing kills game up to the size of

a nestling Song Thrush. Have seen it impale a House Martin, and

have known it to attack small running game. The last pair I had, in

addition to eating a pot of food and plenty of cockroaches and beetles,

would in twenty-four hours spoil the look of a mouse or a Greenfinch.

Have picked up numbers of legs of Robins, Willow Wrens, White-

throats, etc., near an “ abattoir ”. Does not confine itself to bumble¬

bees and beetles when young are hatched.


Swallow. —No scarcity wherever I have been. Broods very

strong and large. Saw an unquestionable bird of the year carrying

a feather to a chimney yesterday (August).


(To be continued.)



MORE INDIAN BIRDS.


By Althea R. Sherman.


[Reprinted from the Wilson Bulletin, No. 90.]


One of the sp>ecies of birds frequently seen near the hotels was

the Indian Hoopoe ( Upupa indica). Both the manner of its flight

and the barred portion of its plumage were strong reminders of the

Woodpeckers. Immediately upon alighting its bright-coloured crest

is erected, and the same thing happens when the bird is frightened.

At other times the crest lies flat; the end of it projecting beyond the

head affords in outline a symmetrical balance to the long bill, making

the head resemble a double-pointed pickaxe. This semblance is



