FOR NORTHERN INDIA 171 



weeks ago, are rapidly losing their barred 

 plumage and are assuming the appearance 

 of the adult. By the middle of November 

 very few immature crow-pheasants are seen. 



Migration and moulting are the chief events 

 in the feathered world at the present season. 

 The flood of autumn immigration, which arose 

 as a tiny stream in August, and increased in 

 volume nightly throughout September, be- 

 comes, in October, a mighty river on the 

 bosom of which millions of birds are borne. 



Day by day the avian population of the 

 jbils increases. At the beginning of the 

 month the garganey teal are almost the only 

 migratory ducks to be seen on them. By the 

 first of November brahminy duck, gadwall, 

 common teal, widgeon, shovellers and the 

 various species of pochard abound. With the 

 duck come demoiselle cranes, curlews, storks, 

 and sandpipers of various species. The geese 

 and the pintail ducks, however, do not return 

 to India until November. These are the last 

 of the regular winter visitors to come and the 

 first to go. 



The various kinds of birds of prey which 

 began to appear in September continue to 

 arrive throughout the present month. 



