of the Calcutta District. 61 



in inhabited bungalows. They are more or less gregarious 

 throughout the year, and do great damage to the crops. 



This is one of the commonest birds kept in confinement, 

 as well as P. eupatrius, which, however, is not found in a 

 wild state in the district. 



84. Pal^ornis purpureus. (Rose-headed Paroquet.) 

 Not common, and only visiting the district during the 



rainy season, when they occur in small flocks, and at this 

 time are always in bad plumage. 



85. Strix javanica. (Indian Barn-Owl.) 



One was shot at Bally. I have often heard the cry of 

 this bird in the night, at all times of the year, though I 

 have never seen one. 



The remark that I have seen signs — pellets, feathers. Sec. 

 — of this bird in the ruined gateways around Akbar's tomb 

 at Secundra, near Agra, may perhaps be of interest^ though 

 it has no reference to the Calcutta district. 



86. Asio AcciPiTRiNus. (Short-eared Owl.) 



On Oct. 25, 1890, when out Snipe-shooting, one was shot 

 at as it rose from a bund in the paddy-fields, and was 

 brought down, apparently uninjured, for it was carried the 

 rest of the day perched on a coolie^s arm, without attempting 

 to escape ; I kept it for some months in a cage in perfect 

 health, but it eventually escaped. This was the only one I 

 saw in this part of the country. 



87. Ketupa ceylonensis. (Brown Fish-Owl.) 



Fairly common and universally distributed. Breeds 

 during the cold season. One of a pair with two full-grown 

 young was shot at the end of 1890 near Khardah. 



88. Scops lettia. (Scops Owl.) 



I shot a male bird of this species on May 26, 1889 — one 

 of a pair roosting among the leaves of a "tar '^ palm. 



89. Carine brama. (Spotted Owlet.) 



Very common, universally distributed, and resident. As 

 often seen abroad during the day as in the night. It is an 

 exceedingly noisy bird in the evening, and the author of 



