24 WANDERINGS OF A 



From constant ill-treatment he has become the very picture of 

 abject misery, crouching at the sound of the human voice ; 

 yet, from some strange instinct, unsolicited he protects the 

 dwelling of the native, and the midnight robber would find it 

 hard indeed to pass his post unchallenged. 



The hoopoe (Jlfupa epops) is very common on lawns and 

 in fields. I have been informed that the black-headed bus- ' 

 tard {Otis nigriceps) was at one time common in this district. • 

 It is now seldom met with, having been so much sought 

 after by sportsmen ; one specimen was brought to me from 

 the mountains near Poonah with its eyeKds sewn together to 

 prevent it running away ! — The naturalist is likely to be 

 led into error in studying the appearance and habits of the 

 dial-bird {Copsychus saularis.) The more sombre plumage of 

 the female (which is seldom seen with the male, except 

 during the breeding season) has deceived many.^ The song 

 of this species is rich and sweet, and frec[uently imitates the 

 notes of other birds. In habits familiar, it is a common 

 tenant of the gardens, where it pours forth its welcome notes 

 in the afternoon or early morning, and like its rival redhreast, 

 sings a bar, and then waits a short time for another indivi- 

 dual to reply. This species is the " nightingale" of English 

 residents. — Among flocks of mina birds {Acridotheres tristis) 

 may often be seen numbers of the roseate pastor (Pastor 

 roseus). The smaller size, peculiar sailing flight, and more 

 pointed wings, will distinguish the latter at a distance. 



The rain-quail {Cotwrni/x coromandelica) is plentifiil during 

 the monsoon. I have shot it in lucerne fields close to my 

 house, and the bush-quail in low jungle near the mountains. 

 We have the Indian golden oriole in woods and groves. It 

 is shy and difiicult of approach. The nest, which is placed 

 in the fork of a tree, is formed of dry grass, with a finer 



