212 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



its skulking habits. It breeds in April and May, making a big 

 nest of grass. Three is the full complement of eggs. 



Gentropus sinensis, Steph. (Common Coucal). — Very common 

 in long grasses and among bamboos. It commences nesting in 

 May, building a large globular nest of grass. Three is the full 

 complement of eggs laid. The call of this bird resembles the 

 words " puss puss," uttered in a very deep tone. 



C. bengalensis, Gmel. (Lesser Coucal). — I have myself never 

 come across this species, but Mr. Inglis's collectors shot a pair 

 at Narhar. 



Palceornis ?iepalensis,~H.odgs. (Large Indian Paroquet). — I have 

 only on two occasions seen small flocks of this bird. 



P. torquatus, Bodd. (Rose-ringed Paroquet). — This is the 

 commonest Paroquet found in this district. It breeds in March, 

 April, and May. They are very destructive to native crops, 

 especially millet, which they carry off wholesale. A number 

 were found breeding in a big cotton tree in May. 



P. cyanocephalus, Linn. (Western Blossom-headed Paroquet). 

 This species is fairly common. 



Strix flammea, Linn. (Barn-Owl). — A rare bird in this district. 

 I have two specimens in my collection shot at Jainagar. A pair 

 were seen in an outhouse at Hattowrie Factory, Darbhanga, in 

 May, 1901. One egg was taken from the nest, which consisted 

 of a heap of ejected pellets. 



S. Candida, Tickell (Grass- Owl). — I have once or twice flushed 

 this species from big grass jungle, and on one occasion found 

 their young. 



Symium ocellatum, Less. (Mottled Wood-Owl). — This fine 

 species is rare. I shot one near Darbhanga in December, 1900, 

 and have seen one or two others. From their castings I have 

 examined, their food seems to consist only of small rodents. 



Scops giu, Linn. (Scops Owl). — Mr. Inglis's collectors shot 

 one specimen in immature plumage. 



Athene brama, Temm. (Spotted Owlet). — This little Owl is 

 very common, and several pairs are nearly always to be found in 

 any large tree. They are very quarrelsome, always fighting 

 among themselves, and making a considerable noise both day 

 and night. I once watched the courtship of a pair of them. 

 During this time the male bird was most attentive to the female, 



