In winter it is a white bird with grey wings and some black in the head. In summer its head is jet black. The bill, legs, and feet are black. Its tail is not very deeply forked.
It is found both inland and on the coast.
203. Sterna seena: The Indian River Tern. (F. 1503), (J. 985), (+III, with a long, deeply forked tail.)
This is the common tern of N. India, and frequents all the large rivers.
Its head and nape are deep black. The upper plumage French grey. Lower plumage very pale grey. Chin white, and a white patch on each cheek. Bill bright deep yellow. Legs red. This bird moults about Christmas time, and for a few weeks after the moult there is much white in the head, but this soon disappears.
204. Sterna melanogaster: The Black-bellied Tern. (F. 1504), (J. 987), (-III, but with a long, deeply forked tail.)
Head black (with some white after the moult at Christmas), abdomen black. Cheek, chin-throat, and wing lining white. Rest of plum, age grey, paler on the tail than on the back. Bill orange-yellow; legs and feet dull red.
One of the commonest of the terns, especially inland.
205. Sterna minuta: The Little Tern. (F. 1510), (J. 988), (-II.)
A tern not much bigger than a sparrow, with a white forehead and black head, white cheeks and lower parts, grey wings, dark red bill and legs, is probably this species.
It is fairly common in N. India; rare in the south.
206. Rhynchops albicollis: The Indian Skimmer, or Scissors-bill. (F. 1517), (J. 995), (-IV.)
A long-winged, tern-like bird, which flies about in little flocks a few inches above the surface of the water, with white forehead, tail, and lower parts, and a white collar round the neck; rest of upper plumage dark brown. Bill deep red; legs bright red. (Illus. F. IV., p. 296.)
The Pelicans, 207 and 208
Description of these well-known birds is superfluous, as every one knows what they look like.
Four species are found in India, but they can scarcely be described as common birds. Two species, however, are fairly abundant on the big jhils of Northern India.
207. Pelicanus crispus: The Dalmatian Pelican. (F. 1522), (+V; a large bird as big as a swan.)
The beak is one and a half feet in length. A white bird with some black in the wings. Bill dark grey.
Winter visitor to U. P. and Sind. (Illus. F. IV., p. 331.)
208. Pelicanus philippensis: The Spotted-billed or Grey Pelican. (F. 1523), (J. 1004), (+V; much smaller than 207.)
This may be distinguished by the curious dark spots and markings on its pinkish yellow bill. (Illus. B. P., frontispiece.)
The Cormorants, 209-211
These are large black birds, which live largely on the water, and catch fish by diving. When not fishing they have the habit of standing on top of a post with wings outspread and then look rather like a church lectern.
Three species occur in India:
209. Phalacrocorax carbo: The Large Cormorant. (F. 1526), (J. 1005), (+V.)
210. Phalacrocorax fuscicollis: The Indian Shag. (F. 1527), (J. 1006), (+V, but smaller than 209.)
211. Phalacrocorax javanicus: The Little Cormorant. (F. 1528), (J. 1007), (IV.)
All three have similar habits, the last being the only common member of the genus. No. 210 has no white throat. Nos. 209 and 211 have a white throat, but can be readily distinguished by the fact that No. 209 is one foot longer than No. 211.
The Ibises, 212-214
Ibises are birds about the size of a common fowl, but having a long curved bill like that of the curlew. As Finn has pointed out, “Ibises fly like storks with the neck outstretched, but with a quicker stroke of the wings and frequent intervals of sailing with the pinions held level, so that they are easily distinguished from other waders when on the wing.” They usually occur in small flocks.
212. Ibis melanocephala: The White Ibis. (F. 1541), (J. 941), (+V.)
The bald head and neck are black, as are the long bill and legs. The rest of the plumage is white.
213. Inocotis papillosus: The Black Ibis. (F. 1542), (J. 942), (+V.)
The Black Curlew, or King Curlew, or King Ibis of Anglo-Indians.
In this species the head only, and not the neck as in No. 212, is devoid of feathers. The skin is black, but the back of the head is covered with little red warts. The plumage is glossy black, save for a small white patch on the wing. The bill, which is nearly six inches long, is dull dark green. Legs bright red.
214. Plegadis falcinellus: The Glossy Ibis. (F. 1544), (J. 943), (+V.)
In this species only the front of the face is devoid of feathers. A chestnut bird with head, wings, and tail dark brown with a green gloss.
215. Platalea leucorodia: The Spoonbill. (F. 1545), (J. 939), (+V.)
A large white bird with a crest in the breeding season. The long bill, which is flat and expanded at the end like a spoon, is black, as are the long legs. It is impossible to mistake spoonbills. There are no other birds like them. They are found in small flocks on sandbanks, etc., at the water’s edge.
The Storks, 216-221
Every one is familiar with the appearance of the common stork. The leading features of the stork family are their large size, their long legs, neck, and bill, and their perching habits. In this last respect they differ from cranes, which never perch in trees. During flight their long necks are stretched out forwards, and their long legs stretched out backwards. They fly by a slow, steady flapping of the wings, but often sail on outstretched wings like vultures. Their nests are in India, huge platforms of sticks built in trees.
216. Ciconia alba: The White Stork. (F. 1546), (J. 919), (+V; 3½ feet long.)
A white bird with some black in the wings. Bill and legs bright red.
A winter visitor, common in North India.
217. Dissura episcopus: The White-necked Stork, or the Beefsteak Bird. (F. 1548), (J. 920), (+V; 3 feet long.)
A black bird, except for the neck and lower abdomen and feathers under the tail, which are white. Bill black; legs dull red.
Not found in Punjab or Sind.
218. Xenorhynchus asiaticus: The Black-necked Stork. Sportsmen call this bird the Australian Stork. (F. 1549), (J. 917), (+V; 4½ feet long.)
Beak, head, neck, and shoulders black; wings black and white. Rest of plumage white; legs bright red.
219. Leptopilus dubius: The Adjutant. (F. 1550), (J. 915), (+V; 5 feet long.)
This huge bird is characterised by an enormous beak, over a foot in length, and a head devoid of feathers. From its neck hangs a pouch. There is a ruff of white feathers round the neck. The lower parts are white. The wings are partly dark slaty grey and partly French grey. The bill is dirty pink, and the legs dirty greyish white.
Not found in S. India. (Illus. B. P., pp. 28 and 34; also I. F., p. 232.)
220. Pseudotantalus leucocephalus: The Painted Stork. The Pelican Ibis of old writers. (F. 1552), (J. 938), (+V; 3½ feet long.)
This is a stork which is trying to turn into an ibis; its bill, which is ten inches long, having a marked downward curve. It is a white bird with a black band across the breast. The wings are mainly black, but some of the feathers are pink with white borders.
The front of the head is devoid of feathers and is orange-yellow, as is the bill. The legs are brown.
Not found in the Punjab; very common in the Deccan. (Its head is figured in Vol. IV., p. 376 of F.)
221. Anastomus oscitans: The Open-Bill. The Shell Ibis of the older writers. (F. 1553), (J. 940), (+V; nearly 3 feet long.)
This bird is distinguished from all others by the fact that the mandibles do not meet in the middle; indeed the beak looks as though it had become distorted owing to the attempts of the bird to crack a very hard nut! (The head is figured on p. 378, F. IV.) It is a greyish white bird with black shoulders, wings, and tail. The bill is light horn colour, and the legs dirty pink.
To my mind this bird looks like a white stork that sadly needs a wash and brush up and its beak put straight!
Found only in N. India. Abundant in Oudh and Bengal.
The Herons, 222-225
Herons are wading birds with long, sharp, stiletto-like bills and telescopic necks. It is their habit to stand motionless in shallow water with the head almost buried on the shoulders. When a victim shows itself, out shoots the neck of the fisher, and woe betide his victim! On the wing herons are easily identified by their large size, the steady flapping of their wings, and the fact that they fly with the neck drawn in and the legs projecting behind beyond the tail. A great many species of heron occur in India, but only four are commonly seen by the average observer.
222. Ardea cinerea: The Common Heron. This is the familiar heron of England. (F. 1555), (J. 923), (+V; a little over a yard long.)
An ashy-grey bird with some white on the head. From the back of the head some black plumes hang. Lower parts white. Bill dark yellow. Legs dirty green.
Usually a solitary bird.
223. Bubulcus coromandus: The Cattle Egret. (F. 1562), (J. 929), (+IV.)
A pure white bird with a yellow bill and black legs. In the breeding season some yellow plumes grow from the back of the head.
This is a sociable species. These birds frequently accompany cattle, which serve as efficient beaters. The quadrupeds put up grasshoppers, etc., which the egrets seize. The birds sometimes perch on the backs of cattle.
There are three larger species of egret which are also white; these belong to the genus Herodias, but these are scarcely common birds. A large white egret with the bill black is one of these species. (Illus. B. D., p. 240.)
224. Ardeola grayi: The Pond Heron. This is the ubiquitous Paddy Bird. (F. 1565), (J. 930), (+IV.)
This bird, which may be seen squatting at the margin of every tank and every village pond, looks greenish brown—much the colour of its muddy surroundings. But startle it and it opens out milk-white wings on which it flies away with steady flappings. It is impossible to mistake a paddy bird. It sits all brown and flies all white. Close inspection shows that every feather has the shaft of a colour different from the web. (Illus. B. D., p. 236; also B. P., p. 114; also B. P., p. 178.)
225. Nycticorax griseus: The Night Heron. (F. 1568), (J. 937), (V.)
A large dusky-coloured bird which is seen flapping its way along about sunset with loud raucous cries that sound like “wāk” is the night heron.
The head, nape, back, and shoulders are black. Forehead, cheek, breast, and lower parts white. Remainder of plumage ashy grey. Eyes bright red. Some of the feathers of the back of the neck are white and are lengthened to form plumes. (Illus. B. D., pp. 232 and 238.)
225a. Butorides javanica: The Little Green Heron. (F. 1567), (J. 931), (+IV.)
A small skulking heron of greenish plumage, with long black crest and a black line from the base of the bill running backwards below the eye.
226. Phœnicopterus roseus: The Common Flamingo. (F. 1575), (J. 944), (+V; nearly 4½ feet long.)
These beautiful birds occur in flocks in shallow lakes. They are white with a pink tinge. The wings are white, black, and cerise. The long legs are deep pink. The curious beak is bent in the middle to form an obtuse angle. (The beak is figured on p. 408 of Vol. IV. of O. and B. B.)
The Geese, 227 and 228
As geese are game birds they do not come strictly within the scope of this book. However, as these birds are much en evidence in Upper India in the cold weather, I will briefly describe the two common species.
In the U. P. during the winter months no sight is more common than that of a V-shaped flock of geese cleaving its way through the air on quivering wings. The birds, as they fly, utter a curious cackle easy to recognise, but difficult to describe. This call is often heard at night. When riding in the early morning one often surprises a flock of geese feeding in some field. They pass the day on a sandbank in some large river, most of the flock asleep on one leg with heads tucked under the wing, but one or two birds are invariably posted as sentinels.
227. Anser ferus: The Grey-lag Goose. (F. 1579), (J. 945), (V.)
Upper parts brown, the shoulders having a number of narrow pale cross bars. Lower parts pale grey. Bill, legs, and feet are a dirty pink colour.
Not found in S. India. (Illus. I. G. III., p. 55.)
228. Anser indicus: The Barred-headed Goose. (F. 1583), (J. 949), (-V.)
This species is distinguished from the other by its yellow bill and feet, and the fact that its head is white with two conspicuous broad black cross bars, from which the bird derives its name. Its general colour is more grey than that of the last species.
Rare in S. India. (Illus. I. D., p. 84; also I. G. III., p. 81.)
The Ducks, 229 and 230
These being game birds do not come within the scope of this work. Two species, however, which are commonly seen are not usually shot by sportsmen on account of their indifferent flavour. These I describe.
229. Casarca rutila: The Ruddy Sheldrake, or Brahminy Duck. (F. 1588), (J. 954), (-V.)
This is a curious pale ruddy-brown bird, whitish on the head. Tail and wings black. Bill, legs, and feet blackish.
This handsome duck is a winter visitor to India. It is very abundant in N. India, less abundant in S. India, not being found at all on the Malabar coast. It invariably goes about in pairs, which dwell in rivers rather than in tanks. They are wary birds and a great nuisance to sportsmen, since they warn other water-fowl of danger. “It is difficult,” writes Blanford, “so long as one is on an Indian river to get out of sight of these birds or out of hearing of their peculiar clanging bi-syllabic call or alarm cry, which is uttered frequently on the smallest excuse.” The cry is like a soft “chakwa,” hence the Hindustani name of the bird. (Illus. I. D., p. 114; also I. G. III., p. 123.)
230. Spatula clypeata: The Shoveller. (F. 1602), (J. 957), (-V.)
This handsome duck, although it occurs in jhils, is pre-eminently a village duck. If there be any considerable piece of stagnant water near a village in N. India, there are likely to be some shoveller ducks on this—in winter, for they are only winter visitors to India. This species is distinguishable from other ducks by its great flat bill being much broader at the tip than at the base. It has a peculiar habit of swimming in circles with its bill resting on the surface of the water.
Cock, after February: Head and upper neck glossy green. Lower neck and breast white. Abdomen chestnut. Rest of body brown with a green patch or speculum in the wing.
Cock before February, and Hen: Reddish brown with a lighter-coloured border to many of the feathers. (Illus. I. D., p. 196; also I. G. III., p. 141.)
231. Podicipes albipennis: The Indian Little Grebe, or Dabchick. (F. 1617), (J. 975), (+II.)
This is one of the most aquatic birds in existence. It rarely walks on terra firma, and never takes to flight from the water. When alarmed it seeks safety by diving. Writing of this bird, Eha says, “I do not know how to describe it better than to say that you might take it for a small chicken without a tail. Its colour is dark glossy brown on the upper parts, with some rich chestnut on the sides of the neck. Young birds are lighter.” (Illus. B. B., p. 184.)
THE END
INDEX TO DESCRIPTIVE LIST
- A
- Adjutant, 220
- J
- Jaçanas, 200
- Q
- Quails, 192
- S
- Sandpipers, 206
- Sand Grouse, 191
- Shrikes, 111
- Sparrows, 138
- Spoonbill, 218
- Starling, 118
- Stint, 208
- Stork, 218
- Sunbirds, 151
- Swallows, 141
- Swifts, 167
- T
- Terns, 211
- V
- Vultures, 177
BY THE SAME AUTHOR
- BOMBAY DUCKS: An Account of some of the Everyday Birds and Beasts found in a Naturalist’s El Dorado. With numerous Illustrations reproduced from Photographs by Captain Fayrer, I.M.S. Demy 8vo.
- BIRDS OF THE PLAINS. With numerous Illustrations. Demy 8vo.
- IN COLLABORATION WITH FRANK FINN
- THE MAKING OF SPECIES. With 15 Illustrations. Demy 8vo.
Transcriber’s Notes
- Retained publisher information from the printed copy (the electronic edition is in the public domain in the country of publication).
- Corrected some palpable typos.
- Moved promotional material to the end of the book.
- In the text versions only, text in italics is delimited by _underscores_.