AVIFAUNA OF CHOTA NAGPUR. 375 



notes on this subject appear to have been in a great measure 

 founded on native testimony, and in many cases have not been 

 supported by subsequent observers. As regards myself I have 

 never had the leisure which is requisite for making trustworthy 

 observations on this subject. Eggs have, indeed, been collected 

 for me, but only to a very small extent by me. 



The general facies of the Avifauna of Chota Nag-pur corres- 

 ponds with that of the more Central Provinces of India. On 

 the east a slight infusion of species belonging to Lower Bengal 

 and the Gangetic valley may be observed. 



In the hilly portion of the Division there are some southern 

 forms which were hitherto not known to occur so far north. 

 Among these Merops Swinhoei* Yungipicus nanus* Geoci- 

 ■chla cyanotus, Myiophoneus Horsfieldii, and Machlolophus Jer- 

 doni, may be mentioned. 



On the other hand several northern species, which were not 

 known to occur in this part of the country, will be found enumer- 

 ated in the following list. Among these the principal are — 

 Muscicapula superciliaris, Euspiza melanocephala, Syphaotides 

 uuritus, and Pterocles exustus. Mergus castor though recorded 

 by Colonel Tickell was not believed to be a regular visitant as 

 it is now known to be. 



Permanent residence throughout the year would be necessary 

 in order to determine with certainty what birds remain all the 

 year round. I am inclined to believe, from the lateness of the 

 season when I have seen them, that Cuculus canorus and 

 Oreocincla dauma both breed in the Division. I have not, 

 however, actually taken their eggs. 



In the class of the Raptores this list is, I feel confident, defi- 

 cient. So far as I know the late Captain Beavan reserved, 

 and before his lamented death did not publish, his notes upon 

 his collection of birds belonging to that class. 



Difficulties about carriage prevented me from collecting 

 many of the larger birds, and identification in the field is 

 often hazardous and not much to be depended on. 



It will be noticed that several of the Falcons and Hawks, 

 which must surely occur, are absent from the list. Falco pere- 

 grinus and F. peregrinator might, I feel confident, be inserted 

 with perfect safety. Indeed the Peregrine is one of the species 

 which is captured and trained by the Hos and other races. 

 Still as I do not know of its having been scientifically identi- 

 fied, I think it better to notice it in this way rather than to 

 give it a formal place in the list. 



* Both these species occur at least as far north as the Dhoon.— Ed., S. F. 



