1865. ] CAPT. R. C. BEAVAN ON INDIAN BIRDS. 693 
The Nutmeg-bird (Munia undulata) is plentiful in fields of ripe 
rice, together with the Weaverbird, which latter (Ploceus baya, 
Blyth) breeds about here, and is common all the year round. The 
Sparrow (Passer indicus), also, is abundant, and evidently a per- 
manent resident. Among Cuckoos, the Koel (Eudynamys orien- 
talis, Linn.) is frequently seen towards evening, flying from tree to 
tree with drooping wings and tail, uttering its peculiarly harsh and 
disagreeable call, which too generally arouses one from one’s slumbers 
in the early morning before dawn. It frequents the thick trees in 
the compounds of houses and the vicinity of villages, and appears to 
avoid the uninhabited parts of the country. 
September 6th.— Secured a specimen of the peculiar plaintive 
Cuckoo near the station, apparently just arrived—a young male 
Polyphasia (tenuirostris, Gray ?), with its stomach filled with cater- 
pillars and other soft insects. Feet light yellow, inclined to greenish 
yellow above; claws sharp and black; bill brownish-black ; upper 
mandible, tip of lower, and gape reddish-brown. Length 92 in. 
Peculiar in having the primary coverts white. 
September 26th.—Snipes about, but not very plentiful: eight to 
ten couple can, in a favourable locality, be killed in a day ; but in 
this immediate neighbourhood nearly all are snared by the natives 
for the Calcutta market. The species, from their arrival there in a 
plucked state, is not ascertainable. A pair of the White-faced Wag- 
tail (Motacilla luzoniensis) first seen, feeding in a newly ploughed 
field. Orioles appear more plentiful,—and the Indian Titlark (Cory- 
dalla rufula) decidedly so ; six may now be observed where a month 
ago only a pair were visible. Paddy-birds (Ardeola) putting on cold- 
weather plumage, and more common. The Kingcrow (Dicrurus ma- 
crocercus) has nearly done moulting ; young birds still seen without 
the lengthened tail-feathers. Merops philippensis still about, but 
getting scarce. Pastor malabaricus flying from tree to tree in small 
flocks. Mynas (both Acridotheres tristis and Sturnopastor contra) 
in flocks, instead of pairs. Kites (Milvus govinda, Sykes, and Hali- 
astur indus, Bodd.) are getting numerous; some have scarcely 
finished moulting. An occasional Adjutant (Leptoptilos agala) 
seen. Weaverbirds (Ploceus) still building. Koels (Eudynamys) 
very numerous near the house. 
September 27th.—Shot my first Snipe of the season, a Pintail 
(Gallinago stenura), in very good condition. Secured a bird on the 
wing which appeared to cause a great deal of alarm amongst a party 
of the Red-eared Bulbul (Otocompsa jocosa). It was much like a 
Hawk on the wing, but turned out to be the Hawk Cuckoo (Hiero- 
coccyx varius, Vahl). Another cuculine bird, secured in a thick 
bushy tree, was Coccystes melanoleucos,Gmel. The first Grey Shrike 
(Lanius cristatus) also seen, and three Teal observed flying overhead ; 
so that cold-weather visitants are evidently coming in daily. 
In the evening saw the first of the common Bee-eater (Merops 
viridis), several hawking over a newly-ploughed field, evidently just 
arrived, and in beautiful plumage. Scarcely a single M. philip- 
pensis appears to be left ; but their places—actually the same sprays 
