374 AVIFAUNA OF CHOTA NAGPUR 



Some of the less important classes are also represented. 



This introduction has grown to such a length that I feel 

 compelled to omit some remarks upon the manners and customs 

 of the numerous tribes of aboriginal races that inhabit Chota 

 Nagpur. * 



Were there space too, I should like to say something of the 

 evidence afforded of the character of some of the ancient inha- 

 bitants by stone implements, Menhirs, Dolmens, long deserted 

 copper mines, ruins, and curious old cave temples sculptured in 

 the solid rock.* ; 



I must now however pass to the subject to which all the 

 other topics touched upon in this paper are subordinate — the 

 Birds of the Division. 



The following list of 294 birds which have been observed 

 in Chota Nagpur is not published as a complete and 

 exhaustive account. That many species occur which have 

 not been enumerated is very probable; but this first step 

 towards the determination of the Avifauna of a large natural 

 as well as political section of the country will render the work 

 of preparation of a final list comparatively easy; 



I trust that one result of this publication may be that some 

 of the local residents will take the subject up and assist in the 

 work of ascertaining fully the characteristics of the Avifauna. 



The only published accounts of the birds of any portion of 

 Chota Nagpur are — First by the late Colonel Tickell, who resided 

 for several years in Singhbhum, where he was Assistant to the 

 Governor-General's Agent on the South- West Frontier. During 

 that time he brought several new birds to notice and recorded 

 the occurrence of others f which have not since been met with. 

 Besides his own papers some notes on birds forwarded to the 

 Museum by him from Chaibassa were published by Mr. Blyth.f 



Second by the late Captain Beavan, who was for two years in 

 charge of the Revenue Survey of Manbhum, where he collected 

 birds and subsequently published an account of them, together 

 with notices of the birds he had collected in other parts of India. § 



Captain Beavan did not describe any new species, neither have 

 I met with any which I feel justified in distinguishing from pre- 

 viously known forms. 



With regard to nidification Captain Bea van's are the only 

 notices which are considered to be of value. Colonel TickelFs 



* See on the stone monuments in the Singhbhum District. Indian Antiquary, Vol. I, 

 and antiquities of the Ramgurh Hill, District of Sirguja, 1. c, Vol II. 



t List of birds collected in the jungles of Borabhuni and Dholbhum. J. A. S. B., 

 Vol. II, 1833, p. 569. 



J J. A. S. B., XI, 1842, p. 456. 



§ Ibis, N. S. I., 1865, p. 400; III, 1867, p. 430; IV, 1868, pp. 73, 165, 370. 



