i8 GLIMPSES OF INDIAN BIRDS 



every boat tenanted by these gipsies having a snake- 

 bird on board. 



The shoulder feathers of the Indian darter are ],ong 

 and narrow like the hackles of a cock. Each is black 

 with a conspicuous silvery shaft, which renders it a 

 thing of unusual beauty. According to Jerdon these 

 feathers constitute the badge of royalty among the 

 Khasias, and used to be the badge of one of the Bengal 

 Regiments of Irregular Cavalry. 



