143 THE F00t> OF BIRDS IN INDlA. 



CHILLIES (Capsicum frutescens). 



Corvus splendens, but only when these are put out to dry, after 



the harvest. No bird appears to touch them in the field. 

 The Nepal Chilli (C. fastigatum) is said to be taken occasionally 



by Macropigia rufipennis, the Andaman Cuckoo-dove. 



TIL (Sesamum indicum). 



Sypheotis aurita the Likh, is said to take the buds. 



SWEET POTATOES. (Ipomcea batatas). 



(Taken by the Common Crane in China). 



LINSEED (Linum usitat ssimum). 



These seeds have been taken, though seldom so, from the sto 

 machs of Corvus splendens, Turtur risorius, and T. suratensis. 



SAFFLOWER (Carthamus tinctorius). 



Apparently at times forms some considerable proportion of 

 the food of the Common Crane. 



BUCKWHEAT (Fagopyrum esculentum). 



Suthora ruficeps, a crow-tit, is said to take this grain. 



TURNIPS (Brassica rapa). 



Wood-pigeons and Bustards are both recorded as taking tur- 

 nips. In India the pigeons are the only birds likely to do 

 any damage to this crop as it is essentially a garden crop 

 in this country. 



MUSTARDS (Brassica spp). 



Mustard has been taken from the stomachs of several species 

 of birds, all of which do some considerable damage to 

 this crop. The two Doves Turtur risorius and T. suratensis 

 take the seeds from the plants as well as by gleaning, but 

 Palceornis forquatus is a serious pest to the mustard crops. 

 Other birds such as the Partridges and Bustards eat a consi- 

 derable amount of the leaves and shoots of the mustard 

 plants, and Rostratula capensis, the Painted Snipe, is said 

 to eat the seeds. Sarson (B. campestris) is taken by 

 Otis tetrax. 



