Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 6 (1902).djvu/258

212 its skulking habits. It breeds in April and May, making a big nest of grass. Three is the full complement of eggs.

Centropus 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.

Palæornis nepalensis, Hodgs. (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.

Syrnium 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,