198 COMMON BIRDS OF AN INDIAN GARDEN 



about by the excessive popularity of golf among 

 the European residents of Calcutta, and the general 

 adoption of cricket and football by the native 

 population. That the latter factor has really had 

 some influence is rendered probable by the fact 

 that, during the same period in which the birds 

 deserted the locality, foxes and otters, both of 

 which were regular residents there, almost entirely 

 disappeared. Be that as it may, the absence of 

 the birds is a matter for regret, as they are very 

 ornamental objects, especially when in full breeding 

 plumage, which many of them assume before taking 

 flight in April. Brilliantly coloured as they then 

 are, they are quite surpassed in splendour by the 

 two yellow wagtails, Motacilla citreola and M. 

 citreoloides, stray specimens of which used often to 

 be found associated with them, especially just before 

 the spring migration and after the assumption of 

 nuptial plumage. 



The only other members of this family that 

 occur abundantly jn the gardens of Calcutta are 

 the Indian tree-pipit, Anthus maculatus, and the 

 Indian tit-lark, A. rufulus. The tree-pipit is only 

 a passing visitor, making its appearance usually in 

 small flocks, among the very earliest of autumnal 

 immigrants and remaining in considerable numbers 

 until the succeeding hot weather has fairly set in ; 

 but the tit-lark is a permanent resident. When 

 the tree-pipits first arrive they are usually in fine 



