318 THE FOOD OP BIRDS IN INDIA. 



species of birds in India, we find no single species feeding on live 

 fish and only a few members of the family the Crows eating dead 

 fish 'that is carrion. 



Amongst other families the Terns (Sternince), Skuas (Stercora- 

 ridce), Frigate-birds (Fregatidce), Gannets (Sulidce), Tropic-birds 

 (Ph'ie'hontidce), Pelicans (Pele anidce), Cormorants (Phalacrocora- 

 cince) and the Mergansers (Mergince) feed almost entirely on fish, 

 the last three groups occurring inland on rivers and lakes, &c. The 

 King-fishers (Alcedinidce) , and the Herodiones which include 

 Ibises, Spoon-bills, Storks, and Herons, feed largely and, in some 

 cases, almost entirely on fish. 



Many species of Owls and Hawks feed habitually on fish, and 

 with the Fish-owls (Ketupa], the Ospreys (Pandionidce) and the Fish- 

 Eagles (Haliaetus) this is practically the only class of food taken. 

 Ducks (Anatidce), Cranes (Gruidce) and the Waders (Limicolce) all 

 feed on fish to a small extent, while the Gulls practically eat nothing 

 but dead fish. 



Fish have been taken from the stomachs of the Pied King- 

 fisher (Ceryle varia) the Pond Jleron (Ardeola grayi), and the 

 Black Ibis (Inocotis papillosus). 



El : recorded as taken by Spilornis cheela, and Ardea cinerea. 



Flying-fish taken by Frigate-birds (Fregatidce), Sula leucogaster 

 the Brown Gannet and Phaethon flavirostris, the White Tropic- 

 bird. 



Fish-Spawn. This form of food is apparently taken only by 

 one or two species of ducks, Sarcidiornis melanonotus, Netta rufina, 

 Nyroca fuligula and possibly by the Dipper (Cinclus asiatica). 



Frogs. No bird takes frogs entirely as the only article of food. 

 Frogs are eaten to some extent by Crows (Corvidce), Starlings (Sturni- 

 dce), King-fishers (Alcedinidce), and Ground Cuckoos (Centropus), 

 but by none of these groups so much as by various species of Owls 

 and Hawks or by the Storks, Herons, &c. (Herodiones), and by 

 Ducks especially the Mergince. Shrikes (Laniidce), Bustards (Oti- 

 didce), and Cranes (Gruidce) are also said to eat frogs. 



