VII 

 A JHIL OUT OF SEASON 



EVEN as every English seaside resort has its 

 " season/' so is there for every Indian jhil 

 a period of the year when it is thronged with 

 avian visitors. At other times of the year 

 the jhil, like the seaside town, is, comparatively speak- 

 ing, deserted. The season of the jhil extends from 

 October to April a term long enough to turn the 

 average lodging-house keeper green with envy ! During 

 the winter months the jhils of Northern India are full 

 to overflowing with ducks, geese, coots, pelicans, cor- 

 morants, and waders of every length of leg. As the 

 weather grows hot, the majority of these take to their 

 wings and hie themselves to cooler climes, where they 

 enter upon the joyous toil of rearing up their families. 

 Thus, from May to September, the permanent residents 

 hold undisputed possession of the jhil. The number 

 of these permanent residents is considerable, so that a 

 jhil, even in the rains, when it contains most water, 

 has not the forlorn appearance of, let us say, Margate 

 in winter. 



It is very pleasant during a short break in the rains 

 to visit a jhil late in the afternoon, especially if a 



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