I 



b 



87 



hū, ūuuuu. This is generally replied to by its companioii. When 

 looking down frora a lofty tree, it points its ears forward, just likę a 

 cat or horse gazing intently on anything. 



9. Strix jananica, De "Wurmb. 



This Owl lives in long grass, and is to be found in abundance some 

 miles frora Hodul. They may often be put up and chased by 

 hawks. They fly but a very short distance. 



10. Merops viridis, Linn. Native name, Hurrial ox Putnnga. 



This bird abounds in the neighbourhood of Muttra. Its flight 

 consists of short rapid jerks, and a quick gliding motion, and it ge- 

 nerally returns to the sarae twig from whence it set out. Some- 

 times several of them may be seen wallowing in the dust on the 

 high road on a sunny morning. It feeds on insects, and builds its 

 nešt in the high banks of the neighbourhood. Its nešt is in a very 

 deep horizontai hole in perpendicular banks of hard earth, but often 

 so low as to be vvithin reach of the hand. From this it appears, 

 that whilst they guard against other birds, snakes, and squirrels 

 efFectually, they fear not man. These nests are generally on the 

 high road-side, and the birds fly in and out unhesitatingly. 



11. Merops Philippinus, Linn. 



This bird utters a sharp whistle whilst flying, and also when 

 perched. It flies for a much longer period and in a dilFerent manner 

 to M. viridis, by taking several kite-like sweeps round and above 

 its tree, and keeping on the wing for nearly a minute. It builds its 

 nešt in the šame manner. There is a pair now (May 31st) near my 

 honse. [June 29th, 1849, killed one of a flock which are breeding 

 in an old rampart opposite my. house, fronting the high road. 

 Irides vermilion.] 



Referring to the Urdoo names of the diflferent species of the Bee- 

 eater of India, it may be remarked, that the natives class them under 

 two heads : — Putringas and Hurevoahs ( Hurrials), each eonsisting 

 of two descriptions of birds ; the first of Chota and Bura Putringa, 

 and the second of Chota and Bura Hurevoah. The Bura Putringa 

 is also called Goolal. The Putringas, it is to be observed, are com- 

 mon all over India ; while the Hureuiahs are confined entirely to 

 Bengal, and never seen above Barilly in a wild statė. 



The Hurewahs are of a size between the two Putringas, and the 

 two species are distinguished from each other by a slight difference 

 in size, and by the larger one having a yellow spot on the top of the 

 head. The Hurevoahs are considered good singing birds, and are 

 brought up as such by the native bird-fanciers of the Lovver Provinces, 

 and who occasionally bring them up to Muttra for sale. These 

 birds mušt be taken very young from the nešt ; and they reąuire as 

 much care as most rage- birds do in their rearing and education as 

 singing birds. The Putringas, on the other hand, are not good 

 singing birds, and are therefore never caged or bronght up as such. 



