THE RESIDENT BIRDS OF SAUGOR AND DAMOH DISTRICTS. 9o 



879. (61). Pykrhulanda gkisea. Ashy-crowned Finch-lark. 



Dabkul. 

 All eight of these larks are common. I do not think the Indian Sky-lark, 

 (ranges Sand-lark and Crested lark breed more than once a year about 

 May. Both the Bash-larks and the squat little Ashy-crowned Finch-lark 

 certainly breed twice, in April and again in August-Sei^tember. It is 

 curious that Gates and Blanford do not mention that both the Red-winged 

 and the Singing Bush-lark's nest is always domed. The Ashy-crowned 

 Finch-lark likes a guard for its nest, preferably a stout thistle. 

 895. {Q'i)- Arachxechthra asiatica. Purple Sun-bird. 



Phiil Sungni. 

 921. (63). PiPRisoMA SQUALiDUM. Thick-billed Flower-pecker. 

 Both these little birds nest early, about March. I have never found the 

 Sun-birds nest without the little entrance porch. The Flower-pecker's 

 little brown felt woven purse nest with its slit in the side for entrance, and 

 the bottom woven slightly thicker than the rest to keep the sides apart, is 

 the most beautiful example of bird-building that I know. 



972. (64). Liopicus MAHRATTENSis. Yellow-fronted Pied Wood-pecker. 



Chitla Katkola. 

 976. (65). Iyngipicus HARDWiCKii. Indian Pigmy Wood-pecker. 



Chota Katkola. 

 nst). (66). Brachypternus aurakxius. Golden-backed Wood-pecker. 



Sond Katkola. 

 There are, I believe, the only three Wood-peckers found in Saugor. The 

 first and last are both common, the Golden-backed extremely so. The 

 Pigmy Wood-pecker is not so common and I have not found a nest yet but 

 I imagine they breed like the two other species about March. I have seen 

 the Pigmy hop from branch to branch and also come down to the ground 

 in chase of a flying-insect, a habit I have never seen in the other 

 Wood-peckers. 



1008. (67). Thbrbiceryx zEYLONicus. Common Indian Green Barbet. 

 1019. (68). Xanthol^ma h^matocephala. Crimson Breasted Barbet. 



Hara Katkola. 

 The latter is ubiquitous, the former not common. Nest in March-April. 

 1022. (69). Coracias indica. Indian Roller. 



Nilkant. 

 The Nilkant is a " lucky " bird and on the Daserah day Hindus go out 

 for the express purpose of finding one and it is considered very lucky if 

 the bird is seen flying from right to left. So too old Horace, 

 " Nee laevus vetet ire picus 

 Nee vaga comix." 

 1026. (70). Merops viridis. Common Indian Bee-eater, 

 TUtilla. 



