MASON AND LEFROY. 311 



ly by gleaning, whilst the Moorhen ( Porphyrio poliocephalus) 

 does immense damage to this crop. Of the cranes Grus 

 communis and G. antigone do vast damage to paddy when 

 young, in some cases attacking the seed beds. Many other 

 birds are said to feed on paddy to some extent, but perhaps 

 more damage is done by Geese and one or two species of 

 ducks (Dendrocycna spp, Anas pcecilorhyncha, Querquedula 

 circia) than by all other species of birds together. They eat 

 the grain as it becomes ripe. Wild rice forms the staple food 

 of some ducks. 



t 



MILLET (Panicum miliaceum). 



This and other millets are taken by various birds chiefly the 

 Quails, probably when available forming the main food of 

 the Common Grey Quail. Millets have been taken from the 

 stomachs of Corvus splendens, Anthus maculatus, Calandrella 

 dukhunensis, Turtur risorius and Francolinus vulgaris, but in 

 no case in large numbers and none of these birds appear 

 to feed habitually on this seed. 



JUAR (Sorghum vulgare). 



This crop does not appear to be eaten by a great variety of 

 birds. The Mynahs, Acridotheres tristis and A. ginginia- 

 nus have been noted as attacking this crop, and Corvus 

 splendens to a minor extent. Emberiza melanocephala is 

 also reported to attack juar. This crop is the favourite 

 grain of the Rosy Pastor and an enormous amount of damage 

 is done by this bird, especially in the Punjab. 



Juar is particularly liable to the attacks of birds of all sorts 



after it begins to ripen. Betoul, D. G., 1907. 

 i WHEAT (Triiicum vulgare). 



Wheat has been taken from the stomachs of Corvus splendens, 

 Calandrella dukhunensis, Palceornis torquatus, P. cyanoce- 

 phalus, Turtur suratensis, and T. risorius, and is also eaten 

 by the Peacock, the Chucor and the Common Grey Quail. 

 Of these birds, however, P. torquatus is the only real general 

 pest to this crop, whilst the Peacock and the Chucor do 



