(SBS?) 
may be, which give them fairly easy distinguishing marks, no difti- 
culty need be experienced in making the acquaintance of these birds, 
although when observed they usually run soon to shelter among 
bamboo clumps or bush-jungle near by where they frequent. They 
lead a solitary existance and care little for intruders into their sec- - 
lusion. Their food is chiefly: the larger insects; grasshoppers, man- 
tides, caterpillers and at times fruit, when procurable on the ground. 
Sup-Famity CENTROPODIN Ai (Concals) 
GENUS CENTROPUS 
Birds, with rough spinous plumage; they might be called the 
hedgehogs amongst birds. Bill is strong, well curved and high at 
the base; wings rounded; tail long, broad and graduated; tarsus 
long; feet large; hind toe and claw long. 
(217) CENTROPUS RUFIPENNIS, Common Concal, or “Crow- 
pheasant” as it is called, is a bird of similar habits to Malkohas. 
It is common in the plains, and can be seen in most parts of India. 
In general appearance it is pheasant-like; typically its hind claw is 
long and dagger shaped ; tail long, broad and graduated. It is par- 
tial to waste lands and unfrequented places, at times found feeding 
on cultivated ground; short bushy and scrub jungle. Not infre- 
quently in gorges, nullahs and in particular, perhaps, hedge rows, for 
which reason it is called in some parts of India the “Hedge Crow.” 
Conceal has the peculiar accomplishment, it has acquired of raising 
its large tail over its back, squirrel-like, which strikes one as a hint 
to its would be captors, a sort of “here’s my tail try a little salt!” 
Conceal can without much difficulty be run down by a horseman, in 
the open, as its flight is heavy and lacks the natural intelligence of 
most birds. We are told that Mahomedans and some of the Hindus 
consider this bird a delicacy—roasted. Its cry is a sort of hoop, 
hoop, hoop. 
With this species we will dismiss Scansores and pass on to the 
next tribe, a typical group of, as a rule, rich and beautifully coloured 
birds, with usually, long slender, bills, not infrequently curved. 
These birds feed much on pollen and nectar from flowers; a few of 
the families on insects and berries. 
