FOR NORTHERN INDIA 162 



subject to which those persons who dwell 

 permanently in one place might with advan- 

 tage direct their attention. 



As regards nesting operations September is 

 not a month of activity. 



On the 1 5th the close season for game birds 

 ends in the Government forests ; and by that 

 date the great majority of them have reared 

 up their broods. Grey partridge's eggs, it is 

 true, have been taken in September ; but 

 as we have seen, grey partridges, like doves 

 and kites, can scarcely be said to have a breeding 

 season ; they lay eggs whenever it seemeth 

 good to them. 



A few belated peafowl may still be found 

 with eggs, but these are exceptions. Most of 

 the hens are strutting about proudly, accom- 

 panied by their chicks, while the cocks are 

 shedding their trains. Other species of which 

 the eggs may be found in the present month 

 are the white- throated munia, the common 

 and the large grey babblers, and, of course, 

 the various species of dove. 



Before the last day of August all the young 

 mynas have emerged from the egg, and 

 throughout the first half of September numbers 

 of them are to be seen following their parents 



