84 Indian Vol. 1 No. 4 (July-August 2005)

Sightings of Sociable gregarius in Rajasthan, excluding Bharatpur records Harkirat Singh Sangha B-27, Gautam Marg, Hanuman Nagar, Jaipur 302021. Email: [email protected]

he Sociable Lapwing Vanellus Table 1: Records of Sociable Lapwing in Rajasthan (excluding Bharatpur) T gregarius is a monotypic species of the No. of birds Date Site Source sub-family Vanellinae (family ) 5 14.x.1995 Tal Chhapar, Churu Sangha 2000 and a winter migrant to north-west . 1 11.i.1998 Revasa, Sikar Sangha 2000 The species is classified as Vulnerable because it has suffered a rapid decline and 15 28.i.1998 Tal Chhapar, Churu Sangha 2000 range contraction (BirdLife International 11 1.ii.1998 Tal Chhapar, Churu Sangha 2000 2000). 2 18.i.1999 Jaisalmer Sangha 2002 There are very few records of the species from Rajasthan, except from Keoladeo collected a specimen on 30.xii.1937 from Acknowledgements National Park, Bharatpur. The prevailing dry Nasirabad, Ajmer (BirdLife International I thank Shantanu Kumar, R. G. Soni, Manoj conditions in the park facilitated by an 2001). Whistler (1938) merely described it Kulshreshtha and Bholu Khan for unprecedented water shortage since last as “a cold weather visitor and common supplying their unpublished data. four-five years seem to have favoured according to Hume.” Many of the refrences Sociable Lapwing and other species. The in Whistler’s paper (1938) are “in very References Yellow-wattled Lapwing Vanellus general terms”, for he has not mentioned Adam, R. M. 1873. Notes on the birds of the malabaricus is commoner in the park than any date or site and his sources are R. M. Sambhur Lake and its vicinity. Stray before and the Indian Courser Cursorius Adam, Dr King (who collected birds at Mt. Feathers 1: 361-404. coromandelicus is breeding in the park this Abu and Jodhpur for nearly two years, but Abdulali, H. 1970. A catalogue of the birds year (Bholu Khan, verbally). Regular published no account of his observations, in the collection of the Bombay Natural sightings of Sociable Lapwing in recent except for supplying specimens to Hume), History Society-5. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. years at Bharatpur suggest that today it is and A. O. Hume. Of the fourteen specimens Soc. 66 (3): 542-559. the most consistently visited site, by the in the collection of the Bombay Natural BirdLife International. 2000. Threatened species, in India. However, from other History Society none is from Rajasthan birds of the world. Barcelona and suitable areas in Rjasthan, like Tal Chhapar, (Abdulali 1970). Cambridge.: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife records are few and far between. Unlike All other published records from International. Keoladeo there is too much ground to cover Rajasthan are shown in Table 1. BirdLife International. 2001. Threatened there. Moreover, such sites have generally Unpublished records of Sociable Lapwing birds of Asia: The BirdLife International remained under-observed. in Rajasthan are from Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Red Data Book. Cambridge: BirdLife This paper reviews and supplements Hanumangarh districts. I observed a flock International. historical, published, data on this declining on 18.x.2003 comprising of six birds Sangha, H. S. 2000. Recent sightings of species. Keoladeo records have been including one juvenile, foraging on a sward Vanellus gregarius (Pallas) at Tal deliberatey excluded as these have been at Baramsar depression west of Jaisalmer. Chhapar and Revasa, Rajasthan. J. generally well documented (BirdLife Shantanu Kumar (verbally) recorded an Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 97 (2): 278-279. International 2001). individual at Badopal, Hanumangarh district Sangha, H. S. 2002. A supplementary note The first record from Rajasthan is more in December 2000 / January 2001. Manoj on the avifauna of the Thar Desert than 135 years old (Adam 1873). Although Kulshreshtha (verbally), Bryan Bland and (Rajasthan) J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 99 Adam collected four specimens on 5.xii.1869, members of a birding group observed seven (1): 120-126. 5.xii.1872, 17.x.1873 and 6.xii.1873 from birds on 26.xii.1998 at Ganga village on way Whistler, H. 1938. The ornithological survey Sambhar, he found the species “not very to Sudasri, Desert National Park, Jaisalmer. of Jodhpur State. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. common; during the cold weather it is to be R. G. Soni (verbally) observed / Soc. 40 (2): 213-235. met with sparingly about the plains,” (Adam photographed one juvenile on 22.x.1991, 1873). A January 1912 record is from Bikaner foraging on the edge of Jor-Bir depression, (specimen in BMNH) and A. E. Jones Bikaner.

Some vocalizations of the Jungle Prinia sylvatica during the breeding season in Sharad Apte “Ushahkal”, 1766 Ganeshnagar, Dr Ambedkar Road, 416416. Email: [email protected]

Introduction resolve disputes about whether a taxon is a behaviour of birds: we can ask what ird vocalizations are of interest for at “good” species, and can provide information is being transmitted through Bleast two reasons. First, in information on the degree of relatedness these sounds, to whom, and under what and systematics, similarities and differences between species and subspecies, Second, circumstances. Much remains to be learnt in the structure of vocalizations can help the study of vocalizations tells us about the about the structure of vocalizations and Indian Birds Vol. 1 No. 4 (July-August 2005) 85 the contexts in which these are made. I of encroachment by humans for horticulture studied the songs and calls of the Jungle or construction of industrial estates, Prinia to elucidate these aspects of their townships or housing colonies. The Banjar vocalizations. Bhoomi Vikas Yojana, a project of the central government, has brought thousands of Study Area acres of land under cultivation, destroying Sagareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary (16º5’- the breeding and feeding grounds of such 17º9’N, 73º-74º22.5’E) is situated in species. Kadegaon taluka of in southern Maharashtra, India. The Materials and Methods 1,087.75ha sanctuary is devoid of human The sanctuary was visited fortnightly during habitation and is covered by southern the main study period (a total of 55 overnight tropical thorn forest (type 6a; Champion and stays). Thereafter, I made monthly visits in Seth 1967). The climate is hot and dry. The the breeding season until November 2002. area lies at an average of about 500m above The vocalizations of the Jungle Prinia were m.s.l. The highest point is at about 900m recorded. These were digitised and above m.s.l. Annual temperatures vary from spectrographs were prepared in the sound a minimum of 8ºC to a maximum of 41ºC. The analysis program Syrinx, version 2.4s. average rainfall is about 400mm, most of which falls from June to October. July and Results and Discussion August are the wettest months. The breeding season of the Jungle Prinia I carried out an extensive study of bird extended from March to November, with a life in Sagareshwar sanctuary from August peak from June to September. The material 1997 to November 2000 (Unpublished). Total used in nest construction was grass and Figure 1: Spectographs of the three vocaliza- taxa, including subspecies, include 114 nests were always situated in a thorny bush tions recorded. The frequency describes the pitch forms representing 50 families. Out of these or in an Agave plant. The nests seemed of the sound; darker pixels indicate louder sound. 114, 47 are residents, 22 are winter migrants, largely located alongside forest roads or Note that the time scale (on the horizontal axis) is not the same for the three calls. Lines are drawn 15 are breeding migrants and 30 are footpaths well-traversed by humans. This under each syllable, together with a verbal de- represented by stray records within the may indicate that the birds get protection scription. sanctuary, but are resident in neighbouring from predators from proximity to human areas. During my study, I made a particular activity. Two nests were found within 100m Call type I: This call is described as pit effort to investigate the nesting, from each other along the main road of the pretty, a loud triple note with pit subdued, vocalizations and behaviour of the Jungle sanctuary. Of eight nests found (Table 1), by Ali and Ripley (1973). I verbalise it in Prinia Prinia sylvatica. six were located near the rest house. On Marathi as “chidriyak chidriyak 28.viii.1998, a nest under construction was chidriyak”. Although the call sounds like a Study Species found and it was observed that a single triple note, the spectrograph shows that Four geographical races of the Jungle Prinia individual (sex?) did all the construction there are at least five syllables in each occur in the Indian region: 1) P. s. gangetica, work; its partner was nearby throughout. phrase (Fig. 1). Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, No distinctive vocalizations were heard This song starts to be heard in March, and Northern Madhya Pradesh; 2) P. s . during nest construction. but remains sporadic until the end of May. sylvatica, the Indian peninsula from Upon the arrival of the monsoon, singing Maharashtra and nothern Madhya Pradesh Table 1: Seasonal changes in number of activity becomes vigorous. This song is south to Kanyakumari; 3) P. s. valida of Sri Jungle Prinia nests found presumably given by males; these Lanka; 4) P. s. insignis, Kutch and Month Number of active individuals select a high perch such as tall Rajasthan; and 5) P. s. mahendrae of nests found bush or sapling, or electric poles and wires Mahendragiri, Orissa (Ali and Ripley 1973). to deliver the song. The song continues for All these five races are strictly resident August 4 5 to 7 minutes with short pause of a few (Whistler 1963). September 2 seconds. Every now and then the bird The subspecies of concern here, P. s. October 1 changes its perch; thus it sings from various sylvatica, is distributed in peninsular India November 1 parts of its territory. This song is (Ali and Ripley 1973). This bird breeds at It appeared that only one bird (female?) of a presumably used to demarcate the very high density in Sagareshwar sanctuary. pair feeds chicks, while the other (male?) boundaries of the territory and to attract Except for deep ravines and hill tops, nests guards the nest. While young, the chicks females. Singing males are often seen driving are spread all over the sanctuary, the highest were fed with larvae. Older chicks intruders out of the territory. densities occurring around the guest house were fed with adult as well. Food When the pairs are formed, males show and dormitory. P. s . sylvatica prefers arid, selection in relation to the age of the chicks an elaborate courtship flight. The male rises bushy, fallow land and bushy hills. Because needs further study. some distance up in the air, nosedives and such fallow lands are considered Three distinct vocalizations were heard jerks up again. This up and down movement unproductive they are always under threat (Fig. 1). is repeated several times until male alights 86 Indian Birds Vol. 1 No. 4 (July-August 2005) in a bush. During this flight, a snapping 2. When the female (?) is away and out of Table 2: Nests found by locating sound is made either by wing or beak, but I the male’s (?) sight, the calling bird becomes individuals giving call type II. was unable to record it. Most of these silent. Date Notes on nest courtship flights were observed in July and 3. The female (?) collects food from a August. certain area and uses a particular route to 15.viii.1997 With two chicks approach the nest. Male (?) select a high 25.viii.1997 With two chicks Call type II: This call is delivered when the perch along this route. 15.x.1997 With two chicks nest has hatchlings. The male (?) selects a 01.xi.1998 Female seen carrying perch in the canopy or crown of a bush or Discussion larvae but nest remained tree to deliver this call. Exposed perches are Several aspects of the ecology of these birds untraced avoided. As the observer approaches the can be studied with the help of the calls 24.viii.2002 One chick; almost fledged nest, the bird becomes restless and they make. First, by basing censuses on the 29.ix.2002 Nest with three chicks increases the tempo of the call. I verbalise call type I, one can estimate the population 22.ix.2002 Female seen carrying this call as a long-drawn chuui-ek chuui-ek size and density of territorial males. It should larvae but nest remained (Fig. 1). also be possible to measure the sizes of untraced This vocalization seems to be an alarm territories by mapping the singing locations call, but the precise function needs further of individual males. Second, one can use study. This call allowed me to locate several call types II and III to locate nests to estimate Champion, H. G. and S. K. Seth. 1968. A revised survey of the forest types of India. Govt. of the density of active nests to study parental nests (Table 2). India Press: New Delhi, India. feeding behaviour, and to measure the Whistler, Hugh. 1963. Popular handbook of Call type III: I transcribe this as pit pit pit success rate of broods. Indian birds. Reprint of Revised & Enlarged (Fig. 1). The male selects a high perch in the 4th ed. London: Oliver & Boyd Ltd. vicinity of the nest and delivers this call from References an exposed branch. The bird appears restless Ali, Salim, and S. Dillon Ripley. 1973. Handbook [Editors’ note: Sound files of the three calls while delivering the call. Like type II, this of the birds of India and together (MP3 format) have been uploaded on our website too appears to be an alarm call. On close with those of Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and (www.indianbirds.in).] observation, I noticed the following points. Ceylon. Vol. 8 (Warblers to redstarts). 10 vols. Delhi: (Sponsored by Bombay Natural 1. When the female (?) approaches the History Society.) Oxford University Press nest with food, the male (?) starts calling. (2001).

Melanism in Spotted Owlet Athene brama Satish Pande1, Amit Pawashe1, Anil Mahabal2 1Ela Foundation, C-9, Bhosale Park, Sahakarnagar-2, Pune 411009, India. Email: [email protected] 2Zoological Survey of India Western Region Station, Akurdi, Pune, Maharashtra, India.

elanism is the occurrence of Athene brama was initiated near Pune, numbers 261 and 262 were placed in right M abnormally black coloured beginning from January 2002. During this and left tarsus respectively. In April 2004, individuals due to the excess presence of a study, the authors noticed a melanistic form the chicks fledged and subsequently the pigment called melanin in their skin, hair, of this owlet in the year 2003. The exact nest site was unoccupied. In July 2004, three feathers, etc. Colours of feathers in birds location of the nest hole where the owlets were again seen to be occupying the depend on combinations of the bichrome melanistic owl was recorded was same nest. Two were adults and one was pigments such as melanin, porphyrin and 18020’64”N, 74001’41”E at 800m near juvenile. One adult was normal and the other carotinoids. Genetic, hormonal and Saswad, Purandar taluk, Pune district, was partially melanistic but the juvenile was environmental ultimately dictate their Maharashtra. The nest was in a 75-year old melanistic. Photographs were taken this time expression. In contrast to melanism, Ficus bengalensis tree, at a height of 8m, (Uploaded on www.indianbirds.in), and it albinism is the total absence of pigment measuring 30x20cm with a depth of 45cm. In was assumed that the pair that was seen in melanin from the feathers, eyes, and skin. June 2003, four owlets were first seen near June 2003 had returned. This was a Detection of the absence of a particular the nest, of which two were chicks and both conjecture since ringing was not done earlier. pigment is often not possible, the were melanistic. One parent was of normal It was also assumed that the pair nesting generalized terms leucism or isabelline are plumage and the other parent was partially and fledging normal owlets from February preferred. Reports of melanism in birds are melanistic. No photographs were taken at until April 2004 was different from the pair rare and in nocturnal species are sparse. that time. The observations were however that fledged a melanistic owlet, even though Pande et al. (2003) report partial melanism in continued. both the pairs used the same nest. the following Indian birds: Brahminy In February 2004, two adult spotted The distribution of Southern Spotted Starling Sturnus pagodarum and Jungle owlets of normal plumage occupied the Owlet A. b. brama is confined to peninsular Babbler Turdoides striatus near Pune and same nest. Two chicks hatched from two India south of 200N latitude and has not been Chiplun, Maharashtra, respectively. eggs and both the chicks were of normal reported from . The Northern A study of the population, ecology and plumage. These chicks were ringed. Two, Spotted Owlet A. b. indica is seen north of breeding biology of the Spotted Owlet plastic, lemon yellow coloured rings with this arbitrary line but overlap is seen around