SWIFTS, GOAT-SUCKERS, MUNIAS, ETC. 261 



and swamps abound, terns of various kinds are 

 constantly present in considerable numbers, and 

 may often be seen flying overhead in small parties 

 or in flocks of some size. It is, however, seldom 

 that any of them condescend to visit gardens, 

 unless, like the Brahmini kites, they are lured in 

 by an unwonted abundance of small fish in the 

 local ponds. Many other water-fowl, such as 

 wild geese, cranes of several species, etc., may 

 also occasionally be seen traversing the upper sky 

 at the times of the great autumnal and vernal 

 migrations, but they very rarely come to ground 

 in gardens, however extensive and secluded they 

 may be. 



All the birds mentioned in the preceding pages 

 are so abundant, or so conspicuous in colouring or 

 habits, that they can hardly fail to attract the notice 

 of every one taking the least interest in natural 

 history, but many other species, whose presence is not 

 so readily detected, visit the gardens, and especially 

 the suburban gardens, of Calcutta, and would neces- 

 sarily be included in any attempt at a complete 

 record of the Fauna of the locality. Even an in- 

 complete list may, however, serve in some degree 

 to show what ample sources of interest and occupa- 

 tion lie open to every resident of India in the study 

 of the birds of his immediate environment, even 

 where this is of an urban nature. 



