OCTOBER. 



THE breeding season of the water-birds is now over, except in the range 

 of the north-east monsoon where it has not begun. The large birds of 

 prey have not commenced to lay to any extent, and only a few stragglers 

 of various families breed during this month. The eggs of the river tern 

 have once been found in large numbers in this month, but this is pro- 

 bably a most unusual circumstance. 



In the HIMALAYAS, as far as is known, not a single species lays in this 

 month. There is no record of an egg of any kind having been taken. 



In the PUNJAB, eggs of the rufous grass warbler, the streaked wren 

 warbler, the pin-tailed munia, the common sandgrouse, the grey par- 

 tridge, the black-necked stork, and the pelican ibis have been taken. The 

 likh florikin certainly breeds there in this month, but further particulars 

 are required. Towards the end of the month the long-billed vulture and 

 the striated bunting begin to pair and build. 



In the NORTH-WEST PROVINCES, eggs of the white-backed vulture, 

 the ring-tailed fishing^ eagle, the large grey babbler, the streaked wren 

 warbler, the pin-tailed munia, the common sandgrouse, and the pea fowl 

 may be taken. Some of the Indian hoopoes too begin to pair and build. 



In BENGAL, the grass owl is known to lay. Also the ring and turtle 

 doves, black-necked storks, and some other species ; and the common kites, 

 the common sand martins, and the adjutants begin to build. 



In CENTRAL INDIA, eggs of the rain quail and likh florikin have been 

 taken ; and by the end of the month the painted sandgrouse begin to 

 pair. 



In SOUTH INDIA, eggs of the white-headed and jungle babblers, 

 Adams's wren warbler, the common wren warbler, the black-headed mu- 

 nia, the Malabar-crested lark, the turtle doves, the grey jungle fowl, the 

 red-billed bush quail, the rain quail, the likh florikin, and the black- 

 necked stork have been taken. The king curlew builds towards the end 

 of the month. 



