Birds. 5795 



Gray Coromandel Kingfisher {Alcedo coromanda of Sonnerat). 

 Very common [indeed on most rivers and streams near the sea-coast, 

 where they may be seen in great numbers for hours at a time fishing, 

 which they pursue by balancing themselves above the water, tern-like, 

 keeping in a stationary position before they make the plunge, by a 

 constant and rapid vibration of the wings. After capturing a fish, they 

 return at once to their aerial post of inspection ; this is a peculiarity 

 in their manner of fishing, — at least I never observed it in the common 

 European kingfisher, which is described by Montagu as invariably 

 perching on trees for that purpose : — " But it is a mistaken notion 

 that these birds suspend themselves on wing, and dart on their prey 

 like the osprey ; the fact is, they sit patiently on a bough over the water, 

 and when a small fish comes near the surface they dart on it, and 

 seize it with their bill." Cuvier states that " lis vivent de petits pois- 

 sons q'uils prennent en se precipitant dans l'eau du haut de quelques 

 branches ou ils se tenant perches pour guetter leur proie." It is by 

 no means so shy and wary a bird as the European. 



Indian Swallow (Hirundo indica, Lath.). The common swallow 

 of the Carnatic : is found to frequent (almost invariably, I believe) 

 the banks of rivers and nullahs near the coast, where it is constantly 

 to be seen in pursuit of the flies and gnats that swarm there. In ap- 

 pearance, as well as in habits, it bears a striking resemblance to our 

 sand-martin, although the plumage is of a lighter and duller brown, 

 and, in point of size, it is considerably less, but, never having 

 measured one, I am not prepared to say how much, but I believe the 

 following description to be tolerably correct : — Length about four 

 inches ; bill dusky ; upper parts, including wings and tail, light brown ; 

 under parts dusky white; wings long; tail forked. 



Indian Lark. Common enough, but nevertheless greatly prized by 

 the natives, particularly by the Mahometans, on account of its song; 

 they not only cage them, but carry them about on most occasions, 

 particularly when they attend the morning worship at the mosque, 

 suspending' the cages at the door, that the song of the larks may 

 accompany them in their prayers. The cages are very small, low and 

 of an oblong shape, often highly ornamental, but, on the occasions 

 referred to, are so completely enveloped, that nothing is to be seen of 

 the birds. With the exception of being smaller than our skylark, 

 I have observed nothing remarkable about them ; but in a part of the 

 world of which it may be said, almost literally, that there are no song- 

 birds, they are of course much valued, for, with respect to the song of 

 the bull-bull, I am inclined to think that, if not altogether a poetical 



