AVIFAUNA OF CHOTA NAGPUR. 433 



251.— Mycteria australis, Shaw.. (917.) 



Rave in Chota ISTagpur. In two successive years and in 

 the same month, March, I observed a single individual of 

 this species in a river in Sirguja. 



252— Melanopelargus nigra, Lin. (918.) 



The Black Stork occurs in Sirguja where I have seen several 

 pairs. It seems to acknowledge its near relationship with 

 M. episcopus, and mixed parties are sometimes to be seen 

 staiiding by the river side. 



It is much the more wary of the two, and invariably took to 

 flight long before the other species began to move on account 

 of my approach. I never succeeded in obtaining a specimen. 

 During the season 1871-72, which I subsequently spent in 

 Sirguja, I only saw one individual. 



253.— Ciconia alba, Belon. (919.) 



The Common White Stork occurs in several parts of the 

 Division. I find, however, I have only recorded it in Manbhum 

 and Sirguja. A specimen which I shot in Manbhum in Febru- 

 ary 1868 is now in the Indian Museum. Dr. Jerdon appears to 

 have been quite unaware of its occurrence in this part of India. 



254.— Melanopelargus episcopus, Bodd. 

 (920.) 



The White-necked Stork or Beefsteak Bird occurs abundantly 

 in most parts of the Division. 



On one occasion I observed a pair of these birds fly 

 backwards and forwards through a rising swarm of winged 

 Termites, upon which Rollers and King-crows were making great 

 havoc. I fancied that I could see them catching the Termites 

 while on the wing, but I am not quite sure,* although I was 

 quite close to them, where I sat concealed awaiting the appear- 

 ance of some bears at the entrance of their cave. 



On another occasion I saw one of these birds busily engaged 

 picking up the Termites as they came to the surface. Any 

 that escaped him fell victims to some one of the birds in the 

 miscellaneous crowd that circled above pouncing upon this 

 favorite food. I recognised in this crowd Milvus govinda, 

 Micronisus badius, C. impudicus, C. Levaillaniii, Buchanga albi- 

 rictus and B. ccerulesceus, Acridotheres tristis, Centrococcyx rufi- 

 pennis and Myiagra azurea. 



I have observed that this bird has the habit, which I have also 



* It was dusk at the time. I certainly saw the birds repeatedly open and close their 

 bills. 



