153 A BIRD CALENDAR 



In the early part of the month the weather 

 differs little from that of July and August. 

 The days are somewhat shorter and the sun's 

 rays somewhat less powerful, in consequence 

 the average temperature is slightly lower. 

 Normally the rains cease in the second half of 

 the month. Then the sky resumes the fleck- 

 less blueness which characterises it during 

 the greater part of the year. The blue of the 

 sky is more pure and more intense in September 

 than at other times, except during breaks in 

 the monsoon, because the rain has washed 

 from the atmosphere the myriads of specks 

 of dust that are usually suspended in it. 



The cessation of the rains is followed by a 

 period of steamy heat. As the moisture of 

 the air gradually diminishes the temperature 

 rises. But each September day is shorter 

 than the one before it, and, hour by hour, the 

 rays of the sun part with some of their power. 

 Towards the end of the month the nights are 

 cooler than they have been for some time. 

 At sunset the village smoke begins to hang 

 low in a diaphanous cloud a sure sign of the 

 approaching cold weather. The night dews 

 are heavy. In the morning the blades of 

 grass and the webs of the spiders are be- 



