The Zoologist — January, 1866, 13 



the end of January or early in February the young are able to leave their 

 nests and scramble into those of others. They begin to perch about 

 the trees, and by the end of February or the beginning of March those 

 that were hatched first are able to take wing and accompany their 

 parents on preying expeditions; and a week or two later, in conse- 

 quence of the drying up of the tanks in the vicinity, ihey begin to 

 emigrate towards the north with their parents and friends, except 

 perhaps a few whose young are not yet fledged, and who stay behind 

 some time longer. Thus, in succession, the different birds leave the 

 place, so that it is completely deserted by the middle of April, by 

 which time the tank becomes dry ; and the village cattle graze in 

 its bed, or shelter themselves under the trees from the scorching heat 

 of the mid-day sun, while the cow-boys find amusement in pulling 

 down the deserted nests. 



The village and tank are completely isolated from the public 

 thoroughfare, and very few seem aware of its existence. The villagers 

 hold an agreement, from the ancient Nabob's government, which 

 continues in force by a renewal from the British Government, that no 

 one is to shoot over the tank, which is strictly enforced to the present 

 day ; and the birds continue in undisturbed possession of this place 

 as a favourite breeding-resort every winter or monsoon. 



The natives understand the value of the dung of the birds in 

 enriching their rice-fields; and when the tank becomes dry, the silt 

 deposited in its bed is taken up to the depth of a foot, and spread over 

 the rice-fields ; consequently they are careful not to disturb the 

 birds. 



When I first discovered the locality, I was under the impression 

 that the birds were venerated, from some superstitious motives, but an 

 acquaintance with the villagers undeceived me as to this point. 

 Anxious to examine the nests, I visited the locality at various periods 

 when the tank was full of water, first in January, and subsequently on 

 the 8th of March, 18(54. I caused a raft of wood to be constructed 

 for the occasion. On the last excursion I was accompanied by some 

 of the European and native officials of the district; and we wei'e 

 pushed along on the raft by two fishermen swimming one on either 

 side, their heads only visible above water, whilst the tank bund was 

 lined with the villagers, who witnessed our operations with great 

 curiosity. As we approached the trees the birds at first remained quite 

 uncoucerned, but as we got nearer they began to look on with amaze- 

 ment at a scene which was evidently new to them ; then they rose 



