694 CAPT. R. C. BEAVAN ON INDIAN BIRDS.  [Novy. 28, 
the latter frequented a few days ago—are now occupied by M. wiri- 
dis. This elegant bird is essentially a tyrant in habits, in the old 
acceptation (rvparvos) of the word. Seated on a dry twig at the 
extremity of a limb of a wide-spreading mango-tree which over- 
hangs the tank, he chooses his post of observation, which gives him 
a clear look-out in all directions, with the skill of a general; his 
head is constantly turned from side to side in unceasing watchful- 
ness. His long black beak glistens in the sun; and its rays impart 
quite a metallic appearance to his chestnut-coloured head, whilst bis 
beautiful eyes, of a bright crimson hue, ever awake and watchful, 
are well set off by the black streak of feathers which, commencing 
at the base of the beak and passing round them, ends in the ear- 
coverts, and gives him quite an air of mustachoed dignity. His 
bright green plumage, too, isso much like the glistening upperside of 
a leaf, that when once lost sight of it is uncommonly difficult again 
to make out the whereabouts of our little friend. But wait, let us 
see him swoop. Down, quicker than thought, from his perch, a 
flash of shining green is seen for a second to dart, then turn, with 
outspread tail and wings, hovering for a second in the bright sun- 
beams, as if to thank them for their genial warmth and the food 
they have brought, and back to his solitary watch-post to await the 
next victim. 
The Yellow Bulbul (Jora typhia), so common in August last, has 
now almost disappeared. The Amethystine Honey-sucker (Lepto- 
coma zeylanica) is common in cocoa-nut trees, amongst the drooping 
bunches of yellow flowers. Mynas decidedly forming into flocks. 
The common Paddy-bird (4rdeola leucoptera) in fine cold-weather 
plumage, with few exceptions. 
September 28th.—An occasional Merops philippensis still about. 
A Whistling Teal (Dendrocygna awsuree, Sykes) or two met with ; 
and a Pintailed Snipe secured whilst shooting Bats after sunset on 
the parade-ground. A single Yellow Wagtail (Calobates sulphurea) 
seen in drains near the house. 
October 1st.—Snipes seen near the line of railway to Calcutta ; 
Snippets (Tolant), however, tolerably plentiful, as are also Bee-eaters 
of the common species (Merops viridis). Cormorants and Egrets 
frequently seen. Kingcrows (Dicrurt) in numbers about telegraph- 
wires. Painted Snipes (Rhynchea bengalensis, Linn.) have been 
seen within the last few days. 
October 28th.—With regard to the arrival of Snipes in the neigh- 
bourhood of Barrackpore, I have ascertained that the Pintailed pro- 
bably arrive earlier, and in greater numbers at first, than the common 
species ; the first killed in September were of the pintailed variety ; 
and of several bags examined lately these formed the greater portion ; . 
of thirteen killed by a friend and myself .yesterday, every single 
one was a Pintail. The first Quail (Coturnix communis’) observed ; 
as also a Bustard Quail (Turnix ocellatus). YFlocks of Geese seen 
flying overhead, at no great elevation, about the 24th of this month. 
November 14th.—Shot a fine Kestrel (Zinnunculus alaudarius) 
which was hawking over a rice-field; this is the first seen this 
