a a, 
hens, which are as arule, sombre in colour, owing to their special 
vocation in life. Once the male is observed, but little difficulty will 
be experienced in discovering its pair. 
At one time I purposed to give keys to the various families, 
but on considering the matter, I deemed it unwise to cumber you with 
over much tecnichal details. 
Colour of the plumage (markings), is not always an infallible 
guide to know the species. A fuller knowledge of the habits of 
birds is always useful, also their typical modes of flight, general 
bearing ete.—a fairly accurate aid, is the seasun, and locality birds 
are found. At 10,000 ft. elevation, you have a group of varied 
families ete., in Darjeeling another ; at 5000 ft. another, and so on. 
In May for instance, at one or other of the altitudes you expect to 
find certain birds, and know that others you won’t see. In winter 
some species of Rose finches etc. descend from the Singalillas to 
Darjeeling. After February nearly all of them have gone back, so 
that if you find a bird which you took to be a Rosefinch (female) in 
May, you may be certain that your eyes have deceived you. 
The reason for not figuring, in not a few instances, female birds, 
is that, it would mar the object of the present work, which is to 
offer simple methods of identifications, by giving the more striking, 
distinctive marks and colours, as can be-seen at a passing glance at 
bird. Females present difficulties in colour, which are not 
readily made out where allied species are concerned, more so, as for 
instance, in Honey-suckers, there exists difference of tints of 
colour, when distinguishing the female of one species from another. 
When examining the hen bird, it is always useful to observe the 
strong family likeness, if I may be permitted to say so, to the cock 
which exists, apart from the colour, also in shape of bill and habits 
generally. 
The Avifauna of India can be divided into the following natural 
Orders :— 
Ch) RAPTORES: .) ...: v3 Birds of Prey. 
(2) INSESSORES ... dy Perching Birds. 
(3) GEMITORES ... Aw Pigeons. 
(4) RASORES cae ee Game Birds. 
(5) GRALLATORES a Wading Birds. 
(6) NATATORES ... ee Swimming Birds, 
