PREFACE

I fear that the patience of those who have been awaiting this little book must be well-nigh exhausted, so long has it been in appearing. I began it two years ago, but had to put it aside during the last few months spent in India prior to taking furlough, on account of the heavy work the threatening famine entailed; and when one is on furlough one only works at the rare times when there is nothing better to do!

The object of this book is to enable people interested in our Indian birds to identify at sight those they are likely to meet with in their compounds and during their excursions into the jungle.

There are several good systematic works on Indian ornithology, but the descriptions in these presuppose that the reader has the specimen in his hand and is able to examine it leisurely, feather by feather. To do this it is necessary to kill the bird in question—a procedure which causes pain to many and gives pleasure to very few. Moreover, unless the seeker after knowledge has some notion as to the order to which the bird he has shot belongs, he will find that seeking it out in the four bird volumes of the Fauna of British India series is a task almost as hopeless as that of looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack.

Eha’s truly admirable book, entitled The Common Birds of Bombay, gives the reader a vivid description of our common Indian birds as they appear to the field naturalist; and I heartily commend this little masterpiece to every Anglo-Indian. But even this does not enable the observer to identify in a few seconds any bird he sees, for it is not written in the form of a key. The present book is an attempt at a key to the everyday birds of the plains of India, a dictionary of birds so arranged that the budding ornithologist is able to turn up any particular bird in a few minutes. This book is, I believe, the first of its kind that has been attempted.

The method I have adopted is to classify birds according to their habits and outward appearance. Every bird has a colour, and most birds possess some anatomical peculiarity, such as a crest, a long tail, long legs, etc. Not a few have some easily recognisable habit, such as a peculiar call or manner of flight. Thus most birds will appear in at least two of my classes, and so should be easily identified by a process of elimination. When the reader thinks that he has located a bird he should turn it up in the descriptive list, which composes Part II of this book, and this will serve to confirm or correct him in his identification. Thus, to take a very easy example, the observer while out walking sees a white bird with a long tail, and a black crested head. Looking through the lists of birds under (1) those having long tails; (2) those having a crest; (3) those mainly white, he will find that the Paradise Flycatcher is the only bird that appears in all three lists. Its number in the descriptive list is (57). A perusal of entry No. 57 will confirm the diagnosis, and indicate where illustrations of the bird are to be found.

I venture to hope that this little book will enable any person to learn in a few weeks to identify nearly all the common birds of his station.

The descriptions given in Part II of the book are short ones, and each is an attempt to depict the bird as it looks when perched in a tree or during flight. Sometimes the description given may appear to differ from those given in The Fauna of British India, or in Jerdon’s Birds of India. The reason of the apparent discrepancy is that the descriptions of the birds in these latter books are those of the skins of dead birds, while mine are attempts to depict the bird as he appears in the flesh.

In a few cases I have described birds from memory, and sometimes my memory may have played me false. I shall be most grateful to anyone who will be kind enough to point out to me any errors. One of the greatest of the difficulties I have experienced is to know what birds to insert and what to leave out of this book. It is a key only to the common birds of the plains, and deals with about one-fifth of the feathered inhabitants.

I have purposely omitted the game birds from my list. These are usually shot at sight; it is therefore not necessary for me to burden this book with them. There is no lack of good books that enable the sportsman to identify the birds he has shot. I may mention Marshall and Hume’s Game Birds of India, Burmah, and Ceylon, with its large number of coloured plates. This valuable work is out of print; but a copy is to be found in almost every Indian library. Then there is Stuart Baker’s recently published Indian Ducks and their Allies, which contains excellent coloured plates of all Indian ducks. Those who cannot afford to purchase this sumptuous work have in Finn’s How to know the Indian Ducks, a safe and inexpensive guide. The same author’s How to know the Indian Waders, enables the tyro to identify any dead wader. Lastly, there is Le Messurier’s Game, Shore, and Water Birds of India; but this, I fear, will be found rather technical for most people. I think I have stated sufficiently clearly my reasons for excluding the majority of game birds from the present work. It now remains for me to justify the other omissions.

In order to render it comparatively easy to identify any given bird, it is necessary that the various classes shall not be too large, and the only way of securing this desideratum is to exclude all the birds that are not frequently met with.

Some may think that I have omitted certain species that should have been included. In anticipation of such criticism I may say that I have done my best to deal impartially with my feathered friends. I have served in three provinces, viz. the United Provinces, Madras, and the Punjab, and have spent a little time on the Bombay side, and have been largely guided by my experience. It is, I admit, quite likely that some of the birds I have omitted may be very common in certain localities. I shall be glad to hear of any such with a view to adding them to a second edition should that be called for.

I would emphasise the fact that this book is a mere key, and as such is of necessity a collection of the dry bones of ornithology and devoid of any literary merit. The book will lose much of its value unless it be used in conjunction with other books, such as Jerdon’s Birds of India, or the bird volumes of the Fauna of British India series, to which references are made in the case of every species mentioned. The present work is primarily a companion to either of the above volumes.

When once the common birds have been learned, it becomes comparatively easy to identify the uncommon ones and to assign to its proper family an uncommon bird.

In conclusion, let me advise every one who wishes to “learn his birds” to procure Eha’s Common Birds of Bombay. Most of the species dealt with therein are common all over the plains.

Those who live in Calcutta will find Cunningham’s Some Indian Friends and Acquaintances, and Finn’s Birds of Calcutta very helpful.

Although I have, in the present work, indicated the distribution of the various birds dealt with, a local list (where it exists) will be of great assistance. The following lists have been compiled:

PREFACE
TO THE SECOND EDITION

The first edition of this work was exhausted a year before I became aware of the fact, and, as the demand appears to be brisk, I have not caused further delay by revising the book very thoroughly.

I am under considerable obligation to Mr. G. O. Allen, I.C.S., for his notes and suggestions. Indeed, it is no exaggeration to say that the list of additions and corrections has been almost entirely compiled by him.

It is a source of great satisfaction to me to learn that this little book, notwithstanding its shortcomings, has enabled many people to learn the names of the common birds that live around them.

D. DEWAR.

CONTENTS

PAGE

Preface 5

Preface to Second Edition 14

PART I

A. Hindustani Names of Common Birds 19

B. Classification According to Structural Peculiarities 23

I. Bills 23

II. Crest 24

III. Legs 25

IV. Tail 26

V. Sexual Dimorphism 29

C. Classification According to Colour 31

I. Black 32

II. Blue 42

III. Brown 44

IV. Coffee or Fawn Colour 52

V. Green 53

VI. Grey 54

VII. Pink 56

VIII. Red 57

IX. White 61

X. Yellow 65

XI. Birds of Many Colours 68

D. Classification According to Habits 69

I. Birds having remarkable cries 70

II. Birds whose nests are likely to be found in any garden in the plains 75

III. Birds that habitually sit on exposed perches 78

IV. Birds that go about in flocks 79

V. Flight 81

VI. Feeding habits 82

VII. Birds which habitually carry the tail almost vertically 85

PART II

Descriptive List of the Common Birds of the Plains of India 89

Index to Descriptive List 229

PART I

A. Hindustani Names of Common Birds

B. Classification according to Structural Peculiarities

C. Classification according to Colour

D. Classification according to Habits

A. HINDUSTANI NAMES OF COMMON BIRDS

In all cases the number in brackets which follows the name of a bird is the number of the bird in the Descriptive List that composes Part II of this book.

Ababil, Swallow, Martin, Swift (80-90, 124 and 125).

Ablak Maina, Pied Myna (54).

Baglā, Paddy bird (224).

Bara Kowā, Corby (1).

Batér, Quail (171).

Bāya, Baya or Weaver bird (70).

Bāz, Eagle (146); also Goshawk.

Bhairi, Peregrine Falcon.

Bhīmrāj, Racket-tailed Drongo (27).

Brāhmini Chīl, Brahminy Kite (151).

Buchanga, King Crow (25).

Būlbūl, Bulbul (15-21).

Chahā, Snipe.

Chakwá, Brahminy Duck (229).

Chandūl, Lark (97-103).

Chīl, Kite (152).

Chotā Chahā, Jack Snipe.

Daryā Mainā, Bank Myna (53).

Dayāl, Magpie Robin (68).

Desi Shāma, Brown Rock-chat (64).

Dhobin, Wagtail (91-94).

Fakhtā, Dove (166-169).

Gheti, Goose (Mirzapur district).

Gidh, Vulture (141-145).

Golābi Mainā, Rose-coloured Starling (48).

Gonriya, Sparrow (82).

Gūgū, Dove (166-169).

Hāns, Barred-headed Goose (228).

Harre Lāl, Green Munia (78).

Harriāl, Green Pigeon (163 and 164).

Jānghil, Painted Stork.

Jangli tota, Sirkeer Cuckoo.

Kabūtār Pigeon (165).

Kālā Pidhā, Pied Bush Chat (61 and 62).

Kālā Tītar, Black Partridge (172).

Kārkarra, Demoiselle Crane (179).

Koil, Koel (130).

Kotwāl, King Crow (25).

Kowā, House Crow (3).

Kūlang, Common Crane (177).

Laggar, Lugger Falcon (160).

Lahtora, Shrike (34-37).

Lāl, Lāl Mūnia, Amadavat (77).

Machlimār, Osprey (140).

Mainā, Myna (52).

Mōhok, Crow-pheasant (131).

Mor, Peafowl (170).

Nīlkant, Roller (115).

Pahāri Mainā, Grackle (46 and 47).

Pāndubi, Dabchick.

Pan-kowa, Cormorant (209-211).

Perki, Dove.

Phutki, Tailor-bird, warbler (28-33).

Pīlak, Oriole (44 and 45).

Popīyā, Brain-fever bird (128).

Rāj Hans, Grey-lag Goose (227).

Safēd Gīdh, Scavenger Vulture (144 and 145).

Sārās, Sarus Crane (178).

Sāth Bhai, Seven Sisters (7-9).

Sawan, Bar-headed Goose (Unao district).

Shāh Būlbūl, Paradise Flycatcher (57).

Shikrā, Shikra (158).

Silahi, Whistling Teal.

Siphāhi Bulbul, Red-whiskered Bulbul (20 and 21).

Sūbak, Night Heron (Baraich district).

Sūga, Paroquet.

Sūrkiā Baglā, Cattle Egret (223).

Surkhābi, Brahminy Duck.

Thampāl, King Crow (25).

Tilyer, Rose-coloured Starling (48).

Tīsa, White-eyed Buzzard (147).

Tītar, Grey Partridge (173).

Tītiri, Plover, Lapwing (183 and 184).

Tōtā, Paroquet (132-134).

Turamti, Red-headed Merlin (161).

Tūti, Rose Finch (80).

Ūllū, Owl (135-139).

Wāk, Night Heron (225).

Wokāb, Tawny Eagle (146).

The following words are used by Indians as equivalent to the English word “nest.”

Jhonj or Jhūnj. (In some parts of the country this is used to describe a hanging nest.)

Ghonsla or Gonchila.

Bil or Gahda. Used for a nest in a hole.

B. CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO STRUCTURAL PECULIARITIES

I. Bills.

II. Crest.

III. Legs.

IV. Tail.

V. Sexual Dimorphism.

I. BILLS

Birds with Long Bills

1. The Sunbirds (106-108). (Very small birds with long curved bills.)

2. The Kingfishers (118-120). (Fairly long and straight.)

3. The Hornbills (121 and 122). (Big birds with long tails.)

4. The Hoopoe (123). (Bill very long and slightly curved.)

5. The Black-winged Stilt (187). (Fairly long, very slender.)

6. The Avocet (188). (Fairly long, slender, with an upward curve.)

7. The Curlew (189). (Very long and curved.)

8. The Whimbrel (190). (Long and curved.)

9. The Black-tailed Godwit (191).

10. The Snipes.

11. The Pelicans (207 and 208).

12. The Ibises (212-214). (Very long and slightly curved.)

13. The Spoonbill (215). (Long, straight, and flattened with a ladle-like tip.)

14. The Storks (216-221).

15. The Herons (222-225). (Fairly long and dagger-shaped.).

II. CREST

Crested birds

1. The Madras Red-vented Bulbul (15).

2. The Burmese Red-vented Bulbul (16).

3. The Bengal Red-vented Bulbul (17).

4. The Punjab Red-vented Bulbul (18).

5. The White-eared Bulbul (19).

6. The Bengal Red-whiskered Bulbul (20).

7. The Southern Red-whiskered Bulbul(21).

8. The Large Racket-tailed Drongo (27).

9. The Rose-coloured Starling (48).

10. The Brahminy Myna (51).

11. The Paradise Flycatcher (57).

12. The Crested Lark (101).

13. Sykes’s Crested Lark (102).

14. The Malabar Crested Lark (103).

15. The Yellow-fronted Woodpecker (110).

16. The Golden Woodpecker (111).

17. The Pied Kingfisher (small crest) (118).

18. The Indian Hoopoe (123).

19. The Pied-crested Cuckoo (129).

20. The Common Peafowl (170).

21. The Large Cormorant (small crest) (209).

22. The Indian Spur-winged Plover (184a).

23. The Herons (222-225).

III. LEGS

Birds with very long legs

1. The White-breasted Water-hen (174). (Moderately long.)

2. The Purple Coot (175).

3. The Cranes (177-179).

4. The Stone Curlew (180).

5. The Lapwings (183 and 184).

6. The Black-winged Stilt (187).

7. The Avocet (188).

8. The Curlew (189).

9. The Whimbrel (190).

10. The Spoonbill (215).

11. The Storks (216-221).

12. The Common Flamingo (226).

13. The Indian Spur-winged Plover (184a).

Birds with legs feathered to the toe

1. The Owls (135-139).

2. The True Eagles (146).

3. The Sandgrouse.

IV. TAIL

1. Birds with the tail deeply forked

1. The Drongos (25-27).

2. The Swallows (88-90).

3. The Palm Swift (125).

4. The Common Kite (152). (Tail slightly forked. This distinguishes the Kite from all other raptorial birds which have round, square, or wedge-shaped tails.)

5. The Terns (200-206).

2. Birds with long tails (i.e. long in proportion to rest of body)

1. The Indian Tree-pie (5).

2. The King Crow (25).

3. The White-bellied Drongo (26).

4. The Larger Racket-tailed Drongo (27).

5. The Tailor Bird (cock in breeding plumage when the two middle feathers are prolonged as two bristles) (28).

6. The Paradise Flycatcher (cock only) (57).

7. The Shama (69).

8. The Wire-tailed Swallow (two of the tail feathers are prolonged beyond the others and look like wires. These frequently get broken off) (89).

9. The Common Indian Bee-eater (the two median tail feathers are prolonged as bristles) (116).

10. The Blue-tailed Bee-eater (the two median tail feathers are prolonged as bristles) (117).

11. The Hornbills (121 and 122).

12. The Cuckoos (128-130).

13. The Crow-pheasant (131).

14. The Large Indian Paroquet (132).

15. The Rose-ringed Paroquet (133).

16. The Western Blossom-headed Paroquet (134).

17. The Peacock (170). In this species it is not the tail, but the upper tail coverts which are elongated.

18. The Pheasant-tailed Jaçana (in breeding plumage) (182).

19. Terns (202-204).