Birds of Lucknow. 55 



No. 1062. Lophoceros birostris. Common Grey Horn- 

 bill. 



Chakotra [H.]. 



The Common Grey Hornbill is very rarely seen in Lucknow 

 itself, but is fairly numerous in those parts of the Division 

 where pipal and other fig-trees — upon the fruit of which it 

 feeds — abound. It is generally found in pairs, or, at the 

 most, three or four together. I have never fouud its nest, 

 though it undoubtedly breeds in those localities where it 

 occurs. 



No. 1066. Upupa epops. European Hoopoe. 

 A cold-weather visitor only. This species and the next 

 are commonly found together. 



No. 1067. Upupa indica. Indian Hoopoe. 



Hud-hud [H.]. 



The bird that occurs in Lucknow has almost always more 

 or less white on the crest, and I think that it is probably 

 a cross with U. epops. In the case of many skins I have 

 had considerable difficulty in assigning them to either species 

 with certainty. One bird, from under which I took four 

 eggs, had a considerable amount of white on the crest. 



The breeding-season extends from the end of February to 

 about the end of April. The eggs are as many as seven, pale 

 glossless blue or unspotted brown. The nest is a shapeless 

 bundle of tow, rags, feathers, and similar materials, and is 

 invariably dirty and odoriferous, particularly after the young 

 are hatched. In one nest I found a dead Hoopoe worked 

 into the structure. 



Average of 17 Lucknow eggs "95" X '67" 



Measurement of largest egg 1*01" X "68" 



,, smallest egg "83" x '60" 



""DO 



No. 1073. Cypselus affinis. Common Indian Swift. 



Ababil [H.]. House-Martin [Martiniere boys] . 



The Indian Swift is very common all over the Division. 

 It breeds, I think, twice a year — at least I have taken eggs 

 from March to July, and Reid took them in February and 

 August. The nests are saucers, having the edge glued to 



