THE BIRDS OF THE LUCKNOW CIVIL DIVISION. 77 
seasons. It is usually seen stalking about jhils in shallow 
water; occasionally roaming over well saturated cultivated 
tracts. It is easily tamed, and will answer to its name like 
a dog. 
939.—Platalea leucorodia, Lin. Native name— 
Chamach-buza, 
The Spoonbill is common during the cold weather, usually 
seen in small parties feeding about jhils in company with the 
White Ibis; but it frequently occurs in vast flocks, especially 
when it arrives in October, though these apparently get broken 
up into detachments as the. season advances. It is rather a 
pretty sight to see a large flock settle. If the movement 
commences when the birds are very high, they come whirling 
down, cork-screw fashion, for some distance, and then, in a 
commingled mass, sail about with outstretched wings as if 
troubled to select a suitable settlement, finally indicating by a 
few more downward zig-zags that they have at last hit upon 
a spot. 
There does not appear to be another species of Spoonbill 
found in India, yet on one occasion I saw a flock of unmis- 
takable Spoonbills considerably larger than P. leucorodia. 
The difference in size struck me at once ; but I could not get 
a specimen. 
940.—Anastomus oscitans, Bodd. Native names— 
Ghongal or Ghongheela. 
The Shell Ibis is very common throughout the year, and 
during the rains may be found almost anywhere, particularly, 
of course, about jhils and wet paddy fields. In the cold 
weather they occasionally assemble in large flocks ; at other 
seasons they are chiefly seen singly or in pairs. 
941.—Ibis melanocephala, Lath. Native names— 
Munda, Didhar and Safed Buza. 
The White Ibis is common during the cold season, frequenting 
jhils, marshes and rivers, often in company with Spoonbills. 
It feeds generally on crustacea and worms ; occasionally 
assembles in great flocks, frequently in small parties, and is often 
seen singly or in pairs. It is in general a wary bird and 
consequently difficult to approach. 
942.—Inocotis papillosus, Tem. Native name— 
; Bhooja or Buza. 
The Black Ibis, or as sportsmen prefer to call it, the King 
Curlew, is a permanent resident. During the cold weather 
