99 



troublesome. With the Hindoos it is esteemed sacrcd ; tliey con- 

 sider it propitious if seen upon the day which concludes the Dasserah 

 or Doorg-a-pooja festivals, and discharge their matchlocks to put it 

 on the wing. The Birmahs commonly send parties to procure the 

 feathers of this bird." — C. W. Smith's Notės. 



This bird often shoots up perpendicularly into the air, screaming 

 as it goes, and then with as sudden and nearly as steep a descent 

 plunges towards the earth, but only to shoot up again. Tliis it often 

 continues for some minutes, till it settles on a bough. 



Wheu attacked by a hawk it shows great agiUty by twisting itself 

 at the moment of the hawk's stoop, and when caught with its power- 

 ful beak it often seriously wounds the legs of its captor. The natives 

 say that it sometimes breaks its legs. At any rate it has done this 

 in the case of the Shikra (3Iicromsus badius). 



I once observed this bird flying steadily forward, when presently 

 an insect some yards beneath attracted its attention, after which it 

 dived with a sudden twist, seized it, and pursued its course. 



52. BucEROS GiNGiNiANUs, Lath, Native name, Lamdor or 

 Dhanmar. 



Is very shy, especially towards roosting-time. A specimen killed 

 at Hasaupur on the Gauges received two shots and died after repeated 

 attempts to strangle it. It uttered a shrill sound Uke kik -vvhile on 

 the tree and when wounded. In its belly was found a hard lump 

 the size of a pigeon's egg, which on being cut open was found fiUed 

 with the fruit of the Peepul and other trees. 



53. Paljeornis TORauATUS, Briss. Native name, Gallar. 



Abounds in every part of India. They fly in great flocks to the 

 fields and gardaus, screaming as they fly. When perched on a tree, 

 the Kitę will sometimes swoop down on them and carry one off in 

 its talons. The ręst do not attempt a rescue, but fly in circles, 

 screaming loudly. They destroy much more fruit than they eat, 

 biting it off and letting it fall ; this is generally unripe fruit. The 

 owl attacks these birds by night, and their feathers may sometimes 

 be seen in the moruing strewing the ground. They make their nešt 

 in holes of walls and trees. 



On a journey in Rohilcund I observed one fly out from a tree with 

 a scream, and, taking a circuit in the air, sweep back to the tree, 

 when, just seizing the tip of a branch far too slender to bear its 

 weight, it swung round and round as if for amusement, and thus 

 turned several summersaults, till by a spirai motion it ascended to 

 the firm part of the branch. 



54. Pal^eornis cyanocephalus. Linu. Native name, Tuia 

 Totą. 



This Parrakeet is found feeding on the fruit of the Peepul tree. 



55. Pal^ornis Alexandri. Native name. Pakari TotA. 



