Birds of the Indian Hills 



About sunset these birds indulge in riotous 

 exercise, dashing with loud screams in and out 

 among the pillars that support the roof of the 

 verandah in which their nests are placed. The 

 nest is composed of mud and feathers and 

 straw. The saliva of the swift is sticky and 

 makes excellent cement. 



The other swift commonly seen in the 

 Himalayas is the Alpine swift (Cypselus melba). 

 This is distinguishable from the Indian species 

 by its white abdomen and dark rump. It is 

 perhaps the swiftest flier among birds. Like 

 the species already described, it utters a shrill 

 cry when on the wing. 



THE CUCULID^E OR CUCKOO FAMILY 



It is not possible for anyone of sound hearing 

 to be an hour in a hill station in the early 

 summer without being aware of the presence of 

 cuckoos. The Himalayas literally teem with 

 them. From March to June, or even July, 

 the cheerful double note of the common 

 cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) emanates from every 

 second tree. This species, as all the world 

 knows, looks like a hawk and flies like a hawk. 



According to some naturalists, the cuckoo 



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