So A BIRD CALENDAR 



been made, deposits its eggs in the nests of 

 various species of babblers. The eggs of this 

 cuckoo are blue, but are distinguishable from 

 those of the babbler by their larger size. It 

 may be noted, in passing, that this cuckoo does 

 not extend far into the Punjab. 



As stated above, most of the shrikes go 

 a-courting in March. Nest-building follows 

 hard on courtship. In this month and in April 

 most of the shrikes lay their eggs, but nests 

 containing eggs or young are to be seen in 

 May, June, July and August. Shrikes are birds 

 of prey in miniature. Although not much 

 larger than sparrows they are as fierce as 

 falcons. 



Their habit is to seize the quarry on the 

 ground, after having pounced upon it from 

 a bush or tree. Grasshoppers constitute their 

 usual food, but they are not afraid to tackle 

 mice or small birds. 



The largest shrike is the grey species (Lanius 

 lahtora). This is clothed mainly in grey ; 

 however, it has a broad black band running 

 through the eye the escutcheon of the 

 butcher-bird clan. It begins nesting before 

 the other species, and its eggs are often taken 

 in February. 



