FOR NORTHERN INDIA 138 



and low-lying paddy fields. Cessation of the 

 rain, however, does not silence the crickets. 



The first streak of dawn is the signal for 

 the striking up of the jungle and the spotted 

 owlets. Hard upon them follow the koels and 

 the brain- fever birds. These call only for a 

 short ^time, remaining silent during the greater 

 part of the day. Other birds that lift up their 

 voices at early dawn are the crow-pheasant, 

 the black partridge and the peacock. These 

 also call towards dusk. As soon as the sun has 

 risen the green barbets, coppersmiths, white- 

 breasted kingfishers and king-crows utter their 

 familiar notes ; even these birds are heard 

 but rarely in the middle of the day, nor have 

 their voices the vigour that characterised them 

 in the hot weather. Occasionally the brown 

 rock-chat emits a few notes, but he does so 

 in a half-hearted manner. In the early days 

 of August the magpie-robins sing at times ; 

 their song, however, is no longer the brilliant 

 performance it was. By the end of the month 

 it has completely died away. 



The Indian cuckoo no more raises its voice 

 in the plains, but the pied crested-cuckoo 

 continues to call lustily and the pied starlings 

 make a joyful noise. The oriole's liquid 



