NATUEALIST IN IIJDIA. H 



CHAPTEE II. 



Familiar Birds about Poonah — Hindoo Temple of Parbuttah — Scenery — Vul- 

 tures — Large Bats — Habits of Parrakeet — Frogs — Sunbird and Frog — 

 Flycatcher — Insects — Snakes — Cobra — Hog Rat — Tiger and Bullock — 

 Kingfishers — Indian Roller — Pigeons — Warblers — Tailor-Bird — Govind- 

 Kite a Public Scavenger — Hoopoe — Dial-Bird —Weaver-Bird's Nest — 

 Egyptian Vulture — Common Trees — The Mango — Paradise Flycatcher — 

 Ants — Coming of the Monsoon. 



Among tlie chief ornitliological denizens of the highlands of 

 the Deccan, the following may be easily distinguished : — 



The wire-tailed swallow {HiruTido fiUfera) is plentiful 

 at Poonah during the summer months. It is on wing soon 

 after daybreak, and may be observed skimming over the 

 Great Parade, or around our bungalows, all day long, hunting 

 its winged prey. In the calm and delightful evenings pecu- 

 liar to Poonah they may be seen in hundreds, perched on 

 stones and tufts of grass upon the plains and the river-banks, 

 and just as night is closing in they rise and seek a roost on 

 the tallest spires and mosques. It is seldom that the males 

 have their delicate tail appendages perfect, and often, they 

 are entirely wanting. 



The allied swift {Cypselus affinis) is common, and builds 

 in societies among the ruined palaces and domes : its nest 

 is made of clay, intermingled with feathers and grass. In 

 haunts and habits it much resembles the European black 

 swift, which, it would appear, has not hitherto been found in 

 Hindostan. 



