460 NOTES ON THE AVIFAUNA OF MOUNT ABOO 



western portions of theVindya and Satpoora Ranges. It is a 

 very closely affined, but I think sufficiently distinct, species. — 

 A. 0. H.] 



197.— Xantholaema hsemacephala, Mull. 



The Crimson-breasted Barbet is generally scattered over the 

 country, though not particularly common. I observed it at 

 Aboo. 



[Common throughout the whole region, except Sindh, from 

 which, though it may occur there, it has not yet been reported. — 

 A. 0. H.] 



199.— Cuculus canorus, Lin. 



The European Cuckoo arrives at Mount Aboo in considerable 

 numbers towards the end of May. When they first arrive 

 they are remarkably noisy, enlivening the hill with their 

 familiar notes for about two months, after which they are 

 silent. I particularly noticed that they were without exception 

 in the slate coloured plumage at that season. About the 

 beginning of October, however, I see by my notes that a num- 

 ber. of young birds in the hepatic plumage made their appear- 

 ance on the hill, so I think we may safely conclude that they 

 breed at Aboo during the rains. I am under the impression 

 that they only call in the pairing season. The young birds 

 referred to had but recently left the nest. 



It is also common in the neighbourhood of Deesa and in 

 other parts of the plains during the rains, and in the cold 

 weather, though I never heard one call at that season. Mr. 

 Hume kindly identified a skin I sent him from Deesa. 



[Pertains strictly to Aboo and its skirts, and the less arid 

 regions southwards ; it is, so far as I know, unknown, in the 

 greater portion of the region with which we are dealing, Sindh, 

 Cutch, Kattiawar, Jodhpoor, but stragglers from the better 

 wooded and watered districts eastwards of the lake, have been 

 met with at Sambhur. — A. 0. H.] 



205. — Hierococcyx varius, Valil. 



The Common Hawk Cuckoo is found on the hills and in the 

 plains. It is not particularly common. 



[Scarcely belongs to the plains region with which we are 

 dealing at all, but still, excepting Sindh, whence it has not yet 

 been reported, it has been sent or recorded from all the other 

 sub-divisions, but only as a monsoon visitant or perhaps more 

 correctly straggler. — A. 0. H.] 



