464 SOME OF THE FAMILIAR BIRDS OF INDIA. 
at times, even entering verandahs and houses, and then again not 
seen at all for many months. 
Caprimulgus Asiaticus. . The common Indian nightjar. 
Caprimulgus Nightjar. A single specimen shot upon 
the ground close beside the bungalow. It is of a remarkably 
light color, and apparently differs from any described by Dr. Jer- 
on. 
Merops viridis. The common Indian bee-eater. There are three 
Asiatic varieties of this bird which Mr. Blyth thinks are “about 
as well worthy of separation as is the African variety from either 
one of them.” The blue-throated variety, or Hodgson’s M. tor- 
quatus, seems not to be uncommon in this region. 
Coracias Indica. The Indian roller. This beautiful bird is 
regarded by the natives with great superstition. _ If the traveller 
sees it sitting upon his right, and can pass without raising it, it 
is a good sign; but if it is on his left he despairs of accomplishing 
the object of his journey. Hence he will sometimes run with ; 
his might across the neighboring field in order to leave the bird 
upon the right hand side of his path. 
Paleornis torquatus. The rose ringed parrakeet. Very abun- 
dant and noisy, and destructive to the crops of fruit and gram. 
It flies with great energy, and when on the wing always seems to 
be in a hurry. 
Hantholema Indica, The crimson-breasted barbet. The only 
barbet found in this region. 
Coccystes melanoleucus. The pied-crested cuckoo. 
Centropus rufipennis. The common concal or crow p 
Arachnecthra Asiatica. The purple honey-sucker. a 
most widely spread of all the Eastern sunbirds. The yee 
breeding plumage, with its glossy, purplish black eae pe 
crimson and yellow axillaries, is a very beautiful object. — found 
thirteen species of Indian honey-suckers this is the only. oner ae 
in this vicinity. ; 
Upupa nigripennis. The Indian hoopoe. 
Lanius erythronotus. The rufous-backed shrike. 
Lanius Hardwickii. The bay-backed shrike. 
Pericrocotus peregrinus. The small minivet. : 
Dicrurus macrocercus. ‘The common drongo shrike.. Jo speci- 
Tchitrea paradisi. The Paradise flycatcher. A singie 
men, a fine adult male, shot in the hot season of 
