38 HABITS AND HAUNTS OF BIRDS 



Night herons, {Nyclicorax). — Are found near water. They are 

 permanent resideucs breeding on trees, and sometimes it is said in reeds. 

 They lay pale green eggs. 



Ibises, {Tantalus, Platalea, Anastomus, Threskiornis, Geronticus, 

 Falcinellus). — The glossy ibis (Falcinellus igneus) is a cold weather 

 visitant, coming in in large flocks, and leaving the country when the 

 breeding season comes. All the others are permanent residents, and 

 are as a rule gregarious breeders, making their nests on high trees near 

 water. The eggs of the pelican ibis {T. leucocephalus) are dull white; 

 so also are those of the shell ibis {A. oscitans). Those of the white 

 ibis [T. melanocephalus) are very pale green, and the spoonbill [P. 

 leueorodia] and the king curlew ( G. papillosus) lay spotted eggs. 



FlciniingOeS, [Phcenicopierus). — Are cold weather visitants, and 

 do not breed in this country. 



Geese, (Anser, SarMdiomis). — The black-backed goose (5. 

 melanotus) is found throughout the country in swampy parts and is a 

 permanent resident. All the other geese leave India to breed elsewhere. 

 The eggs are ivory white. 



Ducks and Teal, {Nettapus, Dendrocygna, Casarca, Tadoma, 

 Spatula, Anas, C/iaulela sinus, Dafila, Mareca, Querquedula, Branta, 

 Aythya, Fuligula, Clangula, Mergus) . — Almost all the ducks are migra- 

 tory coming to India for the winter months only. The cotton teal 

 (Nettapus coromandelianus), the two whistling teal (Dendrocygna 

 arcuata and Z>. major), the spotted-billed duck (A. pacilorhyncJms), 

 and the pink-headed duck {A. caryophyllacea) are permanent resi- 

 dents, and breed where they occur in the plains of India. The 

 mallard [Anas boschas) and the white-eyed duck {Aythya nyroca) 

 remain to breed in Kashmir. All the rest go farther north towards 

 central Asia. The eggs are glossy white, buff or " cafe au lait." 



Grebes, (Porficejos).— The little grebe {P. philippinus) is found 

 on tanks and ponds throughout India, and is a permanent resident. 

 The crested grebe is a winter migrant in continental India, retiring to 

 Kashmir to breed. The eggs are dull white. 



Gulls, {Larus, Xema) ; Vetrels, (Thallassidroma, Pelicanoides); 

 Pufi&nS [Pufnus).— Are found at sea round the coast. Some of the gulls 

 coming far inland at times. None of these birds breed within our limits, 

 but they are believed to lay on the rocky islands of the Red sea. 



Terns, {Sylochelidon, Geloclielidon, Elydrochelidon, Seena, Sterna^ 



