155 A BIRD CALENDAR 



yellow spherical blossoms are rendered pale 

 by contrast with the deep gold hue of the 

 blooms of the san (hemp) which now form a 

 conspicuous feature of the landscape in many 

 districts. The cork trees (Millingtonia horten- 

 sis) become bespangled with hanging clusters 

 of white, long-tubed, star-like flowers that 

 give out fragrant perfume at night. 



The first-fruits of the autumn harvest are 

 being gathered in. Acre upon acre of the 

 early-sown rice falls before the sickle. The 

 threshing-floors once again become the scene 

 of animation. The fallow fields are being 

 prepared for the spring crops and the sowing 

 of the grain is beginning. 



Throughout the month insect life is as rich 

 and varied as it was in July and August. 



The brain-fever bird and the koel call so 

 seldom in September that their cries, when 

 heard, cause surprise. The voice of the pied 

 crested-cuckoo no longer falls upon the ear, 

 nor does the song of the magpie-robin. The 

 green barbets lift up their voices fairly fre- 

 quently, but it is only on rare occasions that 

 their cousins the coppersmiths hammer on 

 their anvils. The pied mynas are far less 

 vociferous than they were in July and August. 



