FOR NORTHERN INDIA 164 



until next monsoon, or even longer, as monu- 

 ments of sound workmanship. 



In September numbers of curious brown 

 birds, heavily barred with black, make their 

 appearance. These are crow-pheasants that 

 have emerged from nests hidden away in dense 

 thickets. In a few weeks these birds will 

 lose their barred feathers and assume the 

 black plumage and red wings of the adult. 

 By the end of August most of the night- 

 herons and those of the various species of 

 egrets that have not been killed by the plume- 

 hunters are able to congratulate themselves 

 on having successfully reared up their broods. 

 In September they lose their nuptial plumes. 



