ii4 A BIRD CALENDAR 



The nest is a slender platform of sticks placed 

 high up in a tree, often in the vicinity of human 

 habitations. Nesting paddy-birds, or pond- 

 herons as they are frequently called, utter 

 all manner of weird calls, the one most fre- 

 quently heard being a curious gurgle. 



Some of the amadavats build nests in June, 

 but the great majority breed during the winter 

 months. 



As soon as the first rains have fallen a few 

 of the pheasant-tailed jacanas begin nesting 

 operations, but the greater number breed in 

 August ; for this reason their nests are de- 

 scribed in the calendar for that month. 



In June a very striking bird makes its 

 appearance in Northern India. This is the 

 pied crested cuckoo (Coccystes jacobinus). 

 Its under parts are white, as is a bar in the 

 wing. The remainder of the plumage is 

 glossy black. The head is adorned by an 

 elegant crest. The pied cuckoo has a peculiar 

 metallic call, which is as easy to recognise as 

 it is difficult to describe. The bird victimises, 

 not crows, but babblers ; nevertheless the 

 corvi seem to dislike it as intensely as they 

 dislike koels. 



By the beginning of the month the great 



