FOR NORTHERN INDIA 69 



large open nests are rarely seen. The explana- 

 tion of this phenomenon appears to be the fact 

 that the nest is well concealed high up in a 

 tree. Moreover, the pie, possessing a powerful 

 beak which commands respect, is not obliged 

 constantly to defend its home after the manner 

 of small or excitable birds, and thus attract 

 attention to it. 



Fortunately for the tree-pie the kites and 

 crows do not worry it. The shikra (Astur 

 badius) and the white-eyed buzzard (Butastur 

 tee so), which are now engaged in nest-building, 

 are not so fortunate. The crows regard them 

 as fair game, hence their nest-building season 

 is a time of sturm und drang. They, in common 

 with all diurnal birds of prey, build untidy 

 nests in trees mere conglomerations of sticks, 

 devoid of any kind of architectural merit. 

 The blue rock-pigeons (Columba intermedia) 

 are busily prospecting for nesting sites. In 

 some parts of India, especially in the Muttra 

 and Fatehgarh districts, these birds nest chiefly 

 in holes in wells. More often than not a stone 

 thrown into a well in such a locality causes 

 at least one pigeon to fly out of the well. In 

 other places in India these birds build by 

 preference on a ledge or a cornice inside some 



