78 Proceedings. 



Amongst the birds first caught sight of from the train was 

 the Hoopoe {Upiipa niijiipennis). From its breadth of wing 

 and undulating flight I took it to be a Woodpecker, until I 

 made closer acquaintance with it at Hoshungabad, and later 

 at Sohagpur. The Hoopoe is generally met with in pairs, 

 feeding on the ground, when, with its crest thrown back, it 

 searches diligently for insects. I never heard the Hoopoe 

 make any note or cry. 



Amongst the birds that frequent the gardens in Central 

 India are the Magpie-Eobin {Copsychus smdaris) and the 

 Brown-backed Indian Eobin [Thamnubia Cambaimsis). The 

 former is a favourite cage-bird, and has a pleasing little song. 

 The latter has much the manners of our Hedge- Sparrow, and 

 may often be seen stealing about the bottoms of bushes or 

 hedges, or taking a short flight from one cover to another. 

 The lien is grey-brown all over, except the lower tail-coverts, 

 which are of a rich chestnut-colour. The cock is black on the 

 under parts, and has black wings and tail. 



The Indian Kedstart is another charming little bird, with a 

 deep-black head and throat, and ruddy breast, under parts, 

 and tail. 



At Sohagpur I first met with the Common Madras Bulbul 

 {^Pijcnonotm hamorlious). It is a distinguished-looking bird, 

 the size of a Thrush, with a black face and crest, brown back, 

 greyish breast, white upper tail-coverts, and brilliant-crimson 

 under the tail. It makes a sweet chirp. The Bulbul frequents 

 gardens, and feeds on fruits. I saw one pecking at a Pome- 

 granate. In Delhi, birdcatchers were snaring them on the 

 maidan. 



The Bengal Babbler [Malacocircus terricolor) is a noisy, 

 plain-brown bird, usually met with in small flocks or family 

 parties, and called by the natives, "srtf bhcd," = seven 

 brothers. Its chatter reminds one of our Starling. 



The Ilose-coloured Pastor [Pastor roseus) occurs in flocks in 

 India in winter, and takes the place of the Starling. Two or 

 three score of these birds were picking the berries off some 

 large bushes in a garden at Agra, keeping up an incessant 

 squeaky chatter. They climbed about the bush like Parrots, 



