one more name to drop

One more name to drop.

In my earlier communication, I had hoped that our guest, the mag-pie robin would also return. Well, it has not. May be it has got wiser. But it did recommend the neighbourhood to its less fortunate friends who could not afford a better place. There is this place- I am not keen about it-see if its OK for you –sort of thing which we do. As a result, I found this nest nestling amongst the foliage of the plant we call as “paarijaata” in our garden. A grandiose name for a bunch of well watered but otherwise ill maintained plants trying to take root amongst rubble and construction debris that pass for soil, around our house. I was hoping against hope to find a flower bud or the signs of one developing in the plant when this came into view. The nest though well built and had withstood torrential rains and wind for the last three days, was empty. I was wondering who the owner was and if it is going to be occupied or meant as an investment (human mind after all), when I heard this frantic chirping a little distance away and turning towards it, noticed the owner. A cute tiny bird, which we need to watch longer to identify correctly. it is either a sunbird or the flycatcher.To prevent further distress to the little thing I went into the house and observed from the window. Flying down from its perch, it alighted on to the small tree closeby, took time to make sure I was nowhere near, came onto the compound wall, onto the plant and went into it’s nest. We have decided to keep away from the spot and see if the bird lives there happily, here after.

PS after considerable discussion, and consultation with the great salimali's birds of india, it is concluded that the bird is neither the fly catcher nor the sun bird. it is the tailor bird. its nest is described as "a rough cup of soft fibre, cotton wool and vegetable down placed in a funnel fashioned by cleverly folding over and stitching along edges one or more large plant leaves. usually under 1 mtr up." nesting season april to september. hats off to the bird man.