When describing the nesting operations of waterfowl in Northern India it is difficult to apportion these between July and August, for the eggs of almost all such species are as likely to be found in the one month as in the other.  A few individuals begin to lay in June, the majority commence in July, but a great many defer operations until August.  There is scarcely an aquatic species of which it can be said:  “It never lays before August.”  Nor are there many of which it can be asserted:  “Their eggs are never found after July.”

Individuals differ in their habit.  A retarded monsoon means that the water-birds begin to nest later than usual.  The first fall of the monsoon rain seems to be the signal for the commencement of nesting operations, but by no means every pair of birds obeys the signal immediately.

The nearest approach to a generalisation which it is possible to make is that the egrets and paddy-birds are usually the first of the monsoon breeders to begin nest-building, while the spot-billed duck, the whistling teal and the bronze-winged jacana are the last.  In other words, the eggs of the former are most likely to be found in July and those of the latter in August.

As the calendar for this month has already attained considerable dimensions, a description of the nests of all these water-birds is given in the August calendar.  It is, however, necessary to state that the eggs of the following birds are likely to be found in July:  purple coot, common coot, bronze-winged and pheasant-tailed jacana, black ibis, white-necked stork, cormorant, snake-bird, cotton teal, comb duck, spot-billed duck, spoonbill, and the various herons and egrets.

AUGUST

  See! the flushed horizon flames intense
  With vivid red, in rich profusion streamed
  O’er heaven’s pure arch.  At once the clouds assume
  Their gayest liveries; these with silvery beams
  Fringed lovely; splendid those in liquid gold,
  And speak their sovereign’s state.  He comes, behold! 
          
                                   MALLET.

The transformation scene described in July continues throughout August.  Torrential rain alternates with fierce sunshine.  The earth is verdant with all shades of green.  Most conspicuous of these are the yellowish verdure of the newly-transplanted rice, the vivid emerald of the young plants that have taken root, the deeper hue of the growing sugar-cane, and the dark green of the mango topes.

Unless the monsoon has been unusually late in reaching Northern India the autumn crops are all sown before the first week in August.  The sugar-cane is now over five feet in height.  The cultivators are busily transplanting the better kinds of rice, or running the plough through fields in which the coarser varieties are growing.

The aloes are in flower.  Their white spikes of drooping tulip-like flowers are almost the only inflorescences to be seen outside gardens at this season of the year.  The mango crop is over, but that of the pineapples takes its place.