NATURALIST IN INDIA. 13 



The bulbul (Pycnonotus hmmorrhous) is very common. — 

 There is considerable yariety in the plumage of the green 

 bee-eater (Merops viridis), sufficient to puzzle one at first. — 

 The black Indian redstart frequents gardens. — The pied wag- 

 tail (Motacilla duJchunensis) is very plentiful. — ^After some 

 trouble, I had the good fortune to obtain a specimen of the 

 great pied wagtail (Motacilla maderaspatana) ; it is rare in 

 this district, seen only by the sides of streams, and generally 

 alone. — Here also is often found the yellow wagtail-lark 

 (Budytes viridis) : the feathers on the head are blue-gray in 

 spring and summer. 



One of the finest views of the city of Poonah and the 

 surrounding country is to be obtained from the fort of Par- 

 buttah, once a Mahratta stronghold, now a Hindoo temple. 

 It is said that, in 1802, the Eajah of Poonah witnessed from 

 this place the defeat of his army at the battle of Kirkee. The 

 approach leads through a shady avenue of tamarind, mango, 

 and cocoa-nut trees, to a small lake with an island, clothed 

 with fruit-trees to the very margin of the calm and glassy water, 

 in which are reflected the broad leaves of the plantain and 

 palm, festooned with a woodbine-like creeper. The scene is 

 perfectly Oriental, and sddom will the beholder gaze on a 

 prettier little spot. A broad flight of steps leads to the fort, 

 on entering which the ears of the traveller are assailed by 

 the deafening clamour of "tom-toms'' and the discordant 

 screeches of imcouth instruments. Among the dilapidated 

 and ruined walls are dark and dismal dens, fiUed with grim 

 idols, to which numbers of adoring natives bend the knee. 

 From the parapet there is a fine view of the surrounding 

 country. A range of high conical mountains stretches from 

 north to west, while eastward lesser hiUs bound the view, and 

 southward the eye roams over a vast level covered with fields 



