Occurrence of the whitewinged black tern Chlidonias leucopterus in Rajasthan

2 Pages·1998·1.3 MB·

by  Harkirat S Sangha

,
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
113
RECORD OF CICONIA CICONIA ASIATICUS FROM INDIAN TERRITORY
7.
We
had procured a pair of white stork eyes. C. c. asiaticus is found inTurkistan, USSR,
Ciconia ciconia from a bird dealer at Calcutta Uzbek SSR, Tadxik SSR, Kirgiz SSR, and
in April 1969. Another pair was procured from Southern Kazakh SSR from Amu Dar’ya to
Kankaria Zoo, Ahmedabad in June 1976, while ISSYK Kull and Lake Balkhash and extreme
the third pair was brought from the same zoo in Western Sinkiang, China (Kashgar). Hancock et
1985. However, between 1976 and 1985 one stork al. (1992) also state that this subspecies migrates
died, but its record is not traceable. In December through Afghanistan and winters mainly in the
1985, we realized that out of the total of five northern parts ofthe Indian subcontinent, mixing
storks, one did not mix with the others and kept with birds ofthe nominate race from the Middle
aloof. On closer observation we realised that the East. Ali and Ripley (1983) have shownbreeding
stork in question had red skin surrounding its distribution of C.c. asiaticus but they doubt the
eyes and lores. This character was in sharp validity ofthe subspecies.
contrast with other storks in the zoo, which had Hancock et al. (1992) reported that this
black skin in the same area. The bill colour was subspecies winters mainly in the northern parts
We
also bright red and bare gular skin was red and of the Indian subcontinent. believe that the
not black. This strange stork appeared slightly stork in our zoo must have been supplied by a
larger than other storks. The white storks with Calcutta dealer. No Indian zoo has received white
black skin around the eyes were certainly the storks from any Russian Zoo and hence it is quite
nominate race Ciconia ciconia ciconia (Ali likely that C. c. asiaticus was trapped from the
and Ripley 1983). However, we failed to find Gangetic plains of West Bengal or Bihar. After
a description of the strange stork and hence 1986 we have carefully watched all the white
its race/subspecies. storks in the field for red skin around the eyes
In February 1996, during the Salim Ali but have failed to trace even a single specimen,
Centenary Seminar, one of us (BMP) showed a especially in Gujarat.
picture ofthe storkto Dr. MalcolmCoulter(USA)
and Dr. Elena Mukhina (Uzbekistan), who said October 11,1996 VIJAYRAJ JADEJA
RAJUVYAS
that it could be the Central Asian White Stork
Ciconia ciconia asiaticus. This subspecies is Sayajihaug Zoo, Vadodara-390 018.
described by Hancock et al. (1992), who report B. M. PARASHARYA
that it is larger than ciconia and its bill is redder, AINP on Agric. Ornithology.
upcurved, longer and heavier. However, they Gujarat Agricultural University,
have notmentionedthe colour ofthe skin around Anand Campus, Anand-388 110.
References
Ali, S. & S.D. Ripley (1987): Handbook ofthe Birds of Ibises and Spoonbills ofthe World. Academic Press,
Indiaand Pakistan (Compactedn.)Oxford University London.
Press, Mumbai. Ripley, S.D. (1982): A Synopsisofthe Birds ofIndia and
Hancock,J.A., J.A. Kushlan &M.P. Kahl(1992): Storks, Pakistan. Oxford University Press, Mumbai.
OCCURRENCE OF THE WHITEWINGED BLACK TERN CHLIDONIAS
8.
LEUCOPTERUS IN RAJASTHAN
On April 9, 1996 we were watching a became immediatelyaware offourjetblack terns,
mixed flock ofterns at Phulera lake, Jaipur and As we viewedthemformore than fifteenminutes
114 JOURNAL, BOMBAYNATURAL HIST. SOCIETY. Vol. 95 (1998)
before they flew away, there was no doubt in our in this part ofthe country (Ali and Ripley, 1981,
minds that they were indeed whitewinged black HANDBOOK OF THE BIRDS OF INDIA AND PAKISTAN
terns Chlidonias leucopterus in full breeding Vol. III). This is the first record ofthe species in
plumage. Rajasthan.
The next day, on April 10, only one
individual was present and we were able to shoot September 17, 1996 HARKIRAT S. SANGHA
HARSH VARDHAN
a picture of this bird despite the great distance.
So far there have been only three records B-27, Gautam Marg,
ofthe bird from the western side ofIndia, on the Hanuman Nagar,
basis of which this tern is considered to be rare Jaipur-302 021.
AERIAL DISPLAY OF RUFOUS TURTLE DOVE STREPTOPELIA ORIENTALS
9.
AGRICOLA TICKELL NEAR NAMBOL BAZAR, MANIPUR
On 20th May, 1996 at about 0530 hrs, I tail fully fanned out. Only during this phase of
saw a pair of rufous turtle doves, Streptopelia flight could the white of the terminal fringe of
orientalis agricola on a dry twig of a big tree tail be seen. On completing such a round flight,
enjoying the morning sun. Suddenly, one ofthem it alighted about two feet away from the otherbird
(probably a male) leftthe perch foran aerial show at first, but on the same branch, then gradually
covering about one minute in three successive moved in mincing paces. No display call or
phases (or models). The first-phase flight was aggressive attitude was exhibited by either bird.
short, horizontal with gentle wing flapping and However, this activity may be a courtship display.
unsplayed tail. This was followed by a swift and
forceful steep flight with rapid wing clapping, July 10, 1996 Kh. SHAMUNGOU SINGH
producing loud sounds, but tail slightly fanned Department ofZoology,
DM.
out. In the third or final phase, it flew in gliding College ofSciences
and coasting in a semicircle with both wing and Imphal-795 001 Manipur.
,
AN INDIAN PITTA {PITTA BRACHYURA) TRAPPED IN
10.
A STANDARD SHERMAN LIVE TRAP
I studied the effect ofrainforest fragmenta- an Indian pitta (Pitta brachyura) inside. After
tion on small mammals by the removal method identifying the bird it was released at the same
which consisted of50 foldable Sherman live traps spot. I thought this record of particular interest
m
along five 5 x 10 grids in a disturbed forest because a) the bird stands higher than the mouth
patch of the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, of the trap and b) the bird had either come for
Tamil Nadu. The traps were baited with peanut the bait ofpeanut butter or to feed on the insects
butter and were designed for large bodied rats or ants which had been lured into the trap by the
like the house rat Rattus rattus butare sensitive bait. The Indianpittaprimarily feeds and forages
( ),
even for animals weighing as little as 8g. In the on insects, grubs and worms on the ground (Ali
&
morning of28th March 1995, while I approached Ripley, 1987 compact handbook of birds of
a particular trap station, the box was shaking. india and Pakistan). Hence, it likely that the bird
The trapped creature made a few harsh sounds was attracted to the insects or bugs rather than
which confused me. To my surprise, there was to the peanut butter, although this needs to be