_Càda_ is the name of the Indian quail.--The snipe is found in the marshy districts of _Ciranga_ and _Puducurici_. In the Gauts there is a kind of black-bird, the body of which is totally black; but its head is covered with a hood of a bright yellow colour, which represents a small crown. This bird, on account of the excellence of its song, is held in the highest estimation by the inhabitants[142]. _Ciula_ is the wood-pigeon with greenish feathers; _Ciangalli_, the turtle-dove; _Koca_, the crane. The flat parts of India swarm, as one may say, with these animals. The _Gnara_, or _Garça real_, is a kind of ibis, but larger than the crane. The Indians, however, entertain no particular respect for these birds; but they do not drive them away from their rice fields, which they frequent in large flocks, and destroy the insects and other vermin. One of the most remarkable birds in India is that called in the Malabar language _Olamàri_, in the Hinduvee _Bajà_, and in the Samscred _Berbera_. It is of the size of the European sparrow, or at least not much larger. This bird constructs its nest in a very curious manner, with the long fibres of plants, or dry grass; and suspends it by means of a kind of cord, nearly half an ell in length, from the extremity of an exceedingly slender branch of some tree, in order that it may be inaccessible to snakes and other animals which might destroy its eggs or its young. This hanging nest, though agitated by the wind, is so strongly secured that it never sustains the least injury. The interior part of it consists of three neat apartments or divisions. The first, which forms the forepart, is occupied by the male; the second is destined for the female; and the third contains the young. In the first apartment, where the male always keeps watch while the female is hatching the eggs, a little tough clay is found stuck against one side of it, and in the top of this clay a glow-worm, which serves to afford light in the night-time. These birds feed upon insects. Their head and feet are yellowish; the body is of a dark yellow, and the breast is whitish. They chiefly frequent the coconut trees, in which I observed the greater part of their nests[143]. I had five of them in a chest, which I was desirous of carrying with me to Europe; but as they occupied too much room, I was obliged to leave them[144]. Among the amphibious animals of this country, are the _Nirna_, or Malabar otter; the _Nirpucia_, a kind of water-cat; and the _Nìrudumba_, a water salamander, called by the Portuguese _Talagoya de agoa_. The salamander properly so called, which is a large black lizard, from three to four palms in length, known by the natives of Malabar under the name of _Udumba_, is found only in the woods. Its flesh has an exquisite taste, forms a wholesome kind of food, and is much relished by the Indians. The water lizard is of a black colour also, but not so large.