1854.[ Indian Oology. 589 



Indian Oology — Notes on the Nidif cation of some of tlie commoner 

 birds of the Salt Mange, with a few additional from Kashmir ', by 

 W. Theobald, Junr. JEsq. 



The present paper is the result of observations made during the 

 years 1852-3, chiefly in the neighbourhood of Pind Dadan Khan 

 and Katas, in the Salt Eange, with a few scanty notes made during 

 a flying trip of a month to Kashmir. 



The only paper on the same subject I have seen is one by Capt. 

 Tickell, with which in one or two instances my own notes will be 

 found to differ. Layard and Kelaart have also given brief notices on 

 the same subject from which one curious fact may be deduced, viz. 

 that the same birds nest at various times in different parts of the 

 country, a fact by no means surprising when the great extent and 

 varied physical, seasonal and climatic features of our Indian empire 

 are taken into consideration. 



At present however, we must content ourselves with the careful 

 exploration of particular districts without attempting to follow out 

 the laws which doubtless regulate these seeming anomalies, which 

 would require much more extensive information than we are at 

 present possessed of. 



It is not easy to explain why Oology has not found more favour 

 with those whose taste or opportunities incline them to cultivate 

 some of the minor branches of natural science, for without any 

 undue bias it may at least be reckoned as entertaining and instruc- 

 tive, as many of those "ologies" which are usually considered pleas- 

 ing, and withal, not unfashionable. Many however, who are ready 

 enough conventionally to tolerate other similar pursuits, can, with- 

 out being able to assign any particular reason, see in Oology little 

 else than trifling and loss of time, but it requires very little examin- 

 ation to upset such an estimate, for there are few similar studies, if 

 any, that surpass it in interest, few more varied, and none offering 

 a less worked field of enquiry and speculation. 



"What varied and touching instances of craft and devotion does 

 not the maternal aropyrj prompt for the concealment and preservation 

 of the callow brood either from natural enemies or from unforeseen 

 perils, and where can we look for more pleasing instances of self- 



