FOR NORTHERN INDIA 134 



holes in trees or old buildings, or on the 

 ground. 



When describing the nesting operations of 

 waterfowl in Northern India it is difficult to 

 apportion these between July and August, for 

 the eggs of almost all such species are as likely 

 to be found in the one month as in the other. 

 A few individuals begin to lay in June, the 

 majority commence in July, but a great many 

 defer operations until August. There is 

 scarcely an aquatic species of which it can be 

 said : " It never lays before August." Nor 

 are there many of which it can be asserted : 

 " Their eggs are never found after July." 



Individuals differ in their habit. A re- 

 tarded monsoon means that the water-birds 

 begin to nest later than usual. The first fall 

 of the monsoon rain seems to be the signal 

 for the commencement of nesting operations, 

 but by no means every pair of birds obeys the 

 signal immediately. 



The nearest approach to a generalisation 

 which it is possible to make is that the egrets 

 and paddy -birds are usually the first of the 

 monsoon breeders to begin nest-building, while 

 the spot-billed duck, the whistling teal and the 

 bronze-winged jacana are the last. In other 



