Teetiri protects the grassland - 4 - Teetiraa wonders why he gets to sit under the hot Sun

Teetiraa wonders why he gets to sit under the hot Sun

He had better go and take over at the nest, Teetiraa said to himself. It was his duty to sit over the eggs from dawn to when the sun came up above the lone babool tree in the grassland. Teetiri had told him that she would only return when the shadow of the babool tree began to come over the nest. He would then be free to go to the wet marshy grounds near the river.

But Teetiraa would have to return to the nest once the sun's heat began to dry up the black marshy soil. That was when the shadow of the babool tree would no longer be above the nest. Dominga had once commented that this arrangement was funny and strange. How come that Teetiri seemed to get to sit on the eggs at night and whenever the shadow of the babool tree fell upon the nest? Why did he, Teetiraa, have to sit on the eggs only when the nest was unprotected from the harsh sun?

Teetiraa had wondered about it, and had meant to confront her today. But that “today” seemed to keep getting postponed everyday. Dominga had teased him about his hesitation. He had done so daily. Teetiraa had kept telling Dominga that he would exchange duty-timings at the nest with Teetiri today. But he had never done so. And, Dominga had not stopped teasing him. Nowadays, Dominga had begun bringing along Domingi, his partner, to feed at the scrub bushes near the marsh. They always kept tittering to themselves. Teetira suspected that Dominga had told his partner about the challenge and that she kept laughing at him for his failure to confront Teetiri.

Teetiraa had now decided to avoid Dominga. But this could not go on, he thought. Dominga was correct. Why did Teetiri get to sit on the nest at night and when it was under shadows. Why could he not sit on the nest when it was actually comfortable to do so? He had better ask her, ask her today, he thought. Dominga may go and tell this bit of useless gossip to Teetiraa's numerous brothers and cousins, who lived on the other side of the river. They would all begin to laugh at him.

Worse still, his cousins may stop inviting him to their hidden grassy patches inside the scrub forests. All the redwattled lapwing cousins, uncles and aunts and other distant relatives assembled together inside the scrub forests when the first rains brought out the termites. Wow. That was the best part of living, thought Teetiraa. All they had to do was stand around the termite mounds in the ground when the wingless termites came out in the thousands. They could catch them without even having to move around. They could keep eating them through the moonlit nights and sleep it off, happily, too tired to even go back to their regular day-to-day familiar grounds. He could not risk losing that invitation, thought Teetiraa.                               

Teetiri protects the grassland - 5 - Teetiraa approaches the nest by walking away from it

5

Teetiraa approaches the nest by walking away from it

He walked out of the small patch of weeds around the stony rubble wherein he had slept the night. The orange band of light in the sky was fading out and was now being replaced by a shade of golden yellow. Teetiraa walked around the edge of the grassland, in a straight line, pretending that he was going somewhere else. They could not risk the nest being known to unseen watchers. There were several enemies, quiet, unseen, hidden away among the trees, bushes, stones, grass and high up in the sky. They could never be certain that they had not been spotted at the nest.

He stood straight, and walked in a determined manner, calling out, "Teetiree, Teetiree", twice, clearly, loudly, for all to hear. He did not approach the nest, nor did he seem to walk away from the nest. Most smart predators would then be able to search along his path and be able to spot the nest. That would not do. Another season would be lost. Teetiraa thought of those unlucky times as he kept walking around the nest with greater caution. He kept walking in a straight line, right upto the babool tree.

Here, among the stony ground under the branches, he suddenly started calling out loudly “Treeeee, Tteetiriiiii, Treeeeee, Teeetiriiiii”, as though he had spotted Dhaman or Naag. He jumped up and began to fly below the tree, creating a lot of noise. This would have all the unseen watchers looking at him, wondering if there was indeed some problem under the babool tree.  Teetiraa knew, that, at that very moment, Teetiri had begun to walk away from the nest, crouching, taking care to see that her head was unseen above the grasses. This was the best strategy, they had decided among themselves. All animals, seen and unseen, would be looking at Teetiraa, as he was doing something like a loud, haphazard dance, while Teetiri was quietly crawling away from the nest. 

Teetiri protects the grassland - 6 - Teetiri begins to leave the nest

6

Teetiri begins to leave the nest

Teetiri kept crawling, slowly, taking care that her black and white head was not being visible above the greenish brown and brownish green grasses. She reached a pile of stones, some brown, some black, some red, some off-white and some brilliantly white. Here, in this pile of stones, she raised her head and sat among some of the stones for some time. She kept moving her head and raising it up and hiding it again. This sort of moment, she knew, would be immediately noticed by the most alert of crows, mongoose or foxes, if hiding nearby. They would wait till she left the pile of stones and would immediately come around to investigate. Once she had settled down in the pile of stones, she called out to Teetiraa. Softly, only once, in a small gentle manner, "Treeet-Treeeeet".

That small gentle call from Teetiri was a signal to Teetiraa that his partner was now comfortably settled elsewhere. He stopped his dance, and began to walk about aimlessly, in large widening circles, pretending to be searching for insects. At times, he did get the still lazy beetle that had not yet hurried to hide away in the daylight. He knew he would have to remember all these spots where lazy beetles would be found easily. For when the eggs would hatch, he would need to be able to catch these beetles in the early morning and late evening and bring them back to feed the young lapwings at the nest.  He began to widen the circles of his walk towards the now unprotected nest. He had to stay in visible distance, to ensure that there were no predators nearby, who would perhaps stumble upon the nest by accident. 

Once he was able to locate the nest, and could keep it in his view, he replied Teetiri's call, by another contact call, louder than Teetiri, but with the same gentle manner, "Treeet-Treeeeet-Did-you-do-it?"  Teetiri could now understand that Teetiraa was able to see the nest and that he would keep a watch out for predators. She bobbed her head once or twice, while still remaining seated at the pile of stones, and made a short but crudely loud noise, "Piteeeweeet". That sound would now make all predators, seen and unseen, look at the stony pile. They would begin to search for the source of that sound. Once again, Teetiri bobbed her head up and down, and began to crawl away clumsily from the stones. 

Teetiri protects the grassland - 7 - Teetiri hides the nest by allowing herself to be seen

7

Teetiri hides the nest by allowing herself to be seen

Though she was trying to pretend to hide, she knew that her black and white head would immediately allow all predators to spot her. It had to be done in a manner that would seem to be very purposefully done. This would fool would-be predators. She began to shake some of the grass around her by crawling among them and casually stood up and began to walk away. She knew that there would be someone out there quietly watching her and remembering the spot where she had stood up.

Teetiri - visits the pond of water at the grassland. 

She could keep a watch on Teetiraa at the nest nearby. 

[Photograph - Savio Fonseca]

Teetiri walked out towards a small puddle of water that always collected amongst some rocks near the old well. It was said that some humans had once lived here in order to go by fishing boats in the creek to catch fish and prawns. One big storm had killed all of them and since then it had been seen that humans rarely came to this corner of the creek. Teetiri rushed loudly, “Treeeet, treeeet!” at two mynas who were drinking there. To all those watching, it seemed like Teetiri was staking her right to drink at the puddle. But it actually served as a signal to Teetiraa to begin to approach the nest, where the egg lay exposed to the hot sunlight. To all those watching, Teetiri was now drinking peacefully at the water puddle.

Teetiri and Teetiraa had decided to adopt this strategy of staging a double deception in order to try and allow their new eggs to survive. They had risked only two eggs this time. Teetiri did not understand how Teetiraa had thought of this idea. Sometimes he could be so smart, she thought. Teetiraa on the other hand, thought that this was Teetiri’s idea. She was always so smart, he thought. They had agreed with each other to try this survival strategy. Teetiraa was at quite a distance, away from the nest, but able to spot the location to be sure that there was no accidental predator. Teetiraa walked into a bunch of tall grass in a bold manner and suddenly sat down. He waited for some time and began to crawl out of the grass towards a babool bush that had low undergrowth. Reaching the babool bush, he crawled in and around the low branches until he came to a ber (Zizyphus berries) bush that was alongside it. He repeated the same crawling in the ber bush. He came out the other side to a bunch of stones that helped him hide while crawling in and out of the low grass. He was now close to the nest. He waited here for some time, looking around to spot any approaching predator.

At this very time, Teetiri flew up into the sky, calling out loudly, “Treeee, treeeee, tweeet, did-you-do-it? did-you-do-it?” When he was sure that everybody would be watching Teetiri flying and circling about, repeating the loud harsh calls and disturbing the entire grassland, Teetiraa did the final crawl to the nest, checked out the two eggs and sat over them. Teetiri watched him from above, making sure that no predator was approaching the nest, and sang out the all-safe call, “Treeee-he-did-it, Treeeee-he-did-it!”

Teetiri and Teetiraa repeated this shuffle, hiding among the bushes and stones, trying to fool their enemies, morning, evening and night, day in and day out. They had to keep on doing it, without losing their guard, without making a mistake, in order to ensure that their clutch of two eggs hatched perfectly. Both of them knew that the actual battle would begin when the eggs were hatched and the chicks would be born. They would then have their very own redwattled lapwing family to take care of, to protect, to raise, to feed, to take care of, to feed, to take care of, to feed, and and and and, wow, it was indeed going to be a lot of work. They would have to hide their chicks, feed them, feed themselves, and make sure that nobody spotted their family together for at least ten days after the eggs were hatched. For now, they had to be careful, extra careful. 

Teetiri protects the grassland - 8 - Dominga and Domingi’s eggs change colour

8

Dominga and Domingi’s eggs change colour

Teetiri needed to keep walking to get some energy and blood circulation back into the body. It was tough, sitting there, on that open nest, in the cold of the night, waiting, waiting, and waiting for what seemed to be forever. Well, it did definitely seem like forever. What does a lapwing have to do at night, completely alone on an open nest? At least Dominga and Domingi sat close to each other, while Domingi sat on the eggs at her nest. Once they had had a big fight, and all the birds came to know about it. Domingi had laid four eggs, all alike. And one fine day, Dominga had come to the nest and saw that one of the eggs had changed it’s colour. Domingi insisted that just awhile ago, all the four eggs had been of one colour. Then how could one egg change colour? Dominga kept asking.

Dominga - the male magpie robin kept arguing with Domingi

[Photograph - Dr. Tejinder Singh Rawal]

They had kept arguing and arguing. The noise had become very painful, remembered Teetiri. Dominga had gone and complained about it to Kotwal, to Chimini and to Teetiraa also. That must have been very humiliating to Dominga, thought Teetiri, for she knew that Dominga and Teetiraa did not like each other very much. Teetiraa had replied rather very rudely and had tried to insult Dominga until Teetiri had told him to keep quiet. This was a totally different problem from theirs, thought Teetiri. The lapwings had lost their eggs, while the magpie-robins had no idea of what had happened to one of their eggs. And what more, but to try to understand what they could do with the different coloured egg that was still present in the nest.

Domingi - the female Magpie Robin was very upset

Dominga had kept fighting with her about the missing egg

[Photograph - Dr. Tejinder Singh Rawal]

Dominga had kept on arguing. He had kept searching for other birds to tell his sorrowful story. Domingi on the other hand had continued to sit at her nest, knowing that her responsibility was towards protecting her eggs. She had not dared to leave her nest, for fear that another egg may change colour. What if the eggs had not been changed at all? What if, one of her eggs had indeed changed colour by itself? Did the two of them, Domingi and Dominga, know all that there was to know about eggs and their colour? How could she just leave all her eggs at her nest and fly away just because one of the eggs had changed colour? Dominga did not listen to any of these questions. He was angry and very certain that Domingi had given away one of their eggs and brought one from some other bird’s nest.

Teetiri protects the grassland - 10 - Darzi does not like to be disturbed

10

Darzi does not like to be disturbed

Darzi was not one to be disturbed, once the sun had come up. He had to quickly feed himself and pick up some insects for his partner, Darzeee, the female tailorbird, who was sitting at the nest that he had made so lovingly for her. This was the correct time to feed upon the insects infesting the tasty sap that began to flow from the babool’s bark. There were insects of all kinds here. Red and Black Ants, small Beetles, big Beetles, Spiders and the very tasty caterpillars. These were absolutely great. Darzeee loved to be fed the new caterpillars once they hatched out from under the babool’s bark. She did not like the hairy ones. She did not like the red and black ones either. It was these smooth green ones that she loved.

While he was eager to pick up one of the caterpillars and fly off to Darzeee who would be waiting for him, here was Phoolchuki with some strange story about Dominga wanting Darzi’s help. Amazing, thought Darzi. For Dominga was never friendly to Darzi. But Phoolchuki gently reminded him that Dominga had never harmed Darzi either. So why not help Dominga? Darzi’s brother came flying in from the neem tree to listen to this conversation. He was very impatient because he had to fly farther than his brother had to. He told Darzi to go ahead and listen to Dominga while he would go and tell Darzeee that her partner would be late. She may as well get out of the nest and feed upon some of the nearby insects.

Darzi did not like it one bit. But he agreed to go down to the ber bush and listen to Dominga. It is all because of you, he told Phoolchuki. Otherwise he would not have stopped searching for food for Darzeee. Phoolchuki told Darzi that it was because of Teetiri that they had to fly low, because it was well known that lapwings could not come and perch on the tree branches. She had offered to help and she had convinced Dominga to seek Darzi’s help. Otherwise Dominga would have flown up inside the babool tree, Phoolchuki said. Okay, okay, said an irritated Darzi. Just this once. Never again. Teetiri was also a good friend, so he would go down to help and advise Dominga.

Darzi flew down to the ber bush along with Phoolchuki. Dominga was looking very sad. Darzi forgot all his anger just by looking at Dominga’s sad face. Teetiri was giving company, encouraging Dominga to be courageous. She was telling Dominga that Darzi was sure to give good advice. Dominga told Darzi everything. How Dominga and Domingi loved each other very much, how they had taken a lot of trouble to build their nest together, and how Domingi had very lovingly laid four identical eggs. They had spent five days taking care of their nest and how one day, suddenly, one of the eggs had changed its colour. The size was also different. What should Dominga do?

Phoolchuki was angry that Dominga did not tell Darzi how he had been fighting with Domingi since then. Phoolchuki told Darzi that Dominga had made Domingi’s life very miserable. He had not been feeding Domingi at the nest since then. Poor Domingi was quite starved by now, Phoolchuki said. Teetiri tried to defend Dominga and said that he must have felt quite upset that one of the eggs had changed colour so suddenly. Also the size had changed, as Dominga said. Any bird that had lost his or her eggs would rightfully know the anguish, said Teetiri and calmed down Phoolchuki. Anybody could be rightfully upset. But not at ones’ partner, so angrily and so unjustly, until one came to know about the exact reason, Phoolchuki argued again strongly. 

Teetiri protects the grassland - 11 - Darzi says that Kokila was responsible

11

Darzi says that Kokila was responsible

Darzi was getting impatient. He knew what the problem was about. This was something new to Dominga and thus was not easily understood or accepted. He called Teetiri and Phoolchuki aside and spoke to them in a whisper. This was not something that was Dominga or Domingi’s fault, Darzi said. This was the evil Kokila at work. The Koel was a lazy bird, and therefore his partner, Kokila went about removing one egg from unguarded nests and replacing them with one of her own. Koel would never spend time or trouble in constructing his own nest. Kokila perhaps did not trust Koel to feed her at her nest if she did decide to sit on her own nests. And thus, Kokila went around searching for nests where she could hide her eggs.

Teetiri was shocked. She was learning about this for the first time in her life. As far as she knew, there were no nest raiders who replaced eggs of ground nesting birds. Phoolchuki had once heard about nest raiders on tree-nesting birds from one of her aunts who had had to raise a young Kokila chick in her nest.  The Kokila chick soon grew to be four times the size of her aunt, but she continued to feed it and take care of it, with all the love that only a mother can give. Her aunt had argued with her sisters and brothers that after all the Kokila chick was also an unprotected young bird, and if she could give food and love, and make sure that it flew away safely, she would be happy to do so. Phoolchuki’s father had not agreed but her mother had supported it. She was also a mother, wasn’t she? Who else would know a mother’s love, she had said.

Darzi said that the same incident had occurred with one of his aunts in the big fruit orchard that bordered their grassland. The village on the other side of the fruit orchard had many large tamarind, mango and banyan trees that were full of these evil Koel and Kokila birds. They came out from there, searching in the fruit orchards, the grasslands, the riverbanks and the forests. They searched for unprotected nests, that already had some eggs laid in them, and replaced one egg with one of their own. Did they do it with ground nesting birds, Teetiri asked, worried that it may happen with their nest when both Teetiri and Teetiraa left it unprotected? No, No, Darzi said, it was only with tree-nesting birds. The colours of the Kokila’s egg were such that it would easily be seen if left exposed to the sun, in the open grassland, if left in a ground-nest.

Darzi advised Phoolchuki and Teetiri that Dominga must not be told that the egg belonged to Kokila. For otherwise Dominga may go and destroy it. Teetiri also agreed. One egg belonging to Dominga and Domingi was in any case destroyed and lost forever. One should not destroy another egg, though it belonged to another bird, just because one had been destroyed. Phoolchuki also nodded in agreement. Yes, she said, just because it did not belong to you, it did not mean that you had the right to destroy it. Better that Phoolchuki or Teetiri went and told Domingi separately. Let Dominga not know. But what should they tell Dominga? Darzi told Phoolchuki and Teetiri not to worry. He would handle it himself. 

Teetiri protects the grassland - 17 - Salonki understands Teetiri’s plan

17

Salonki understands Teetiri’s plan

Suddenly Salonki understood what Teetiri’s plan was all about.  Teetiri must have wanted Salonki’s relatives to irritate the strange animal to show himself. That was the reason why she had wanted them to keep chattering away. That bobbing fluffy ball, whatever it was, showed that the animal was getting irritated. There must be an animal at the other end of the fluffy ball. Having decided that, it became suddenly much more easier for Salonki to look for the animal.

Salonki’s eyes followed the ball, bobbing up and down, and could now identify a brown-coloured snake-like cord attached to it. That must be the tail. She followed the tail through the grass and suddenly could see the animal very clearly. It was right there, and it was not there. It could be seen but it was unseen. You could make out the colours, but if you blinked, the colours were no different than the grassland. It could not be seen if one looked at the grassland without searching for the animal. Wow. This animal was very good at camouflage, Salonki thought.

It was the combination of the brown and green coloured grass that explained it. There simply was no brown grass out there. It was actually simple, when one understood the colours of the grassland or the marsh. Brown dry grass could not occur next to dark green grass that was obviously getting good water through its roots. One patch of grass could not be brown and not getting water, while the grass nearby was green. The brown grass was the animal. It was simple, very simple, actually, when you come to think of it, Salonki told her partner.

It was a brown coloured animal that was hiding in the grass. So, now we know something more about it, Salonki thought. It was strange, dangerous, large, frightening, brown in colour, and with a tail that had a brown or black coloured fluffy ball at the end. Salonki turned and called out to all her relatives. She pointed out the brown and green patch of grass and explained that the animal was hiding out there. All her relatives immediately started arguing about the identity of the animal. For those who were bolder, they began to move to the lower branches and started chattering away loudly. All that chatter, the loud arguments, the agreements and disagreements, soon began to irritate the animal that relied so much on camouflage. Just as Teetiri had predicted to herself, the animal would have to show itself in disgust. And indeed, with all the myna chatter going on above it, suddenly, the animal seemed to shiver all over, and turned its head to stare right up into the babool tree. Salonki could now see it very clearly. 

Teetiri protects the grassland - 21 - Salonki goes to meet Guturgu

21

Salonki goes to meet Guturgu

Kotwal asked Salonki to fly fast to the village. Speed was important, Teetiri added. Yes, do not hang around to talk to anybody you meet along the way, Kotwal told Salonki. Go and meet Guturgu and ask him for advice. He would be easy to find, because Guturgu never went anywhere. He and his family were always to be found near the various foodgrain storage sheds belonging to the farmers. Salonki could meet Guturgu easily near these sheds in the village, Kotwal said. Make sure you meet Guturgu, because you are now our only hope to save the grassland and its marsh, Teetiri added.

Salonki agreed, actually he kept nodding and shaking her head, and flew directly to the village. We will never know whether Salonki actually understood what we said, Kotwal told Teetiri. Kotwal flew to the babool tree while Teetiri continued to walk around the grassland. Salonki’s partner was sitting impatiently on the babool tree, lost without Salonki and bored with the continuous chatter of his relatives. He asked Kotwal if he had seen Salonki. I am getting bored sitting here with nothing to do and nobody to talk to. What sort of a plan was this? Is Teetiri to be trusted, she asked Kotwal.

Salonki has gone to the village and will return after some time, Kotwal told Salonki’s partner. You have to trust Teetiri. She is doing all this to protect the grassland for its birds. Billi can be quite dangerous. You are all at risk from Billi. We will all be safe once Billi is chased away from the grassland. Salonki’s partner was not convinced. He argued as to why should all the mynas be asked to do as per Teetiri’s plan? Why should they not have a plan of their own? Anyway, Billi cannot chase all the mynas. Teetiri is doing this for herself and fooling the mynas, He told Kotwal.

No, No, No, Kotwal said. Nobody has a plan, and it is certainly not Teetiri’s plan. It is a plan that belongs to all the birds of the grassland. In any case, Teetiri has put no bird in danger. She herself has been cautious because she wants to make sure that Billi is chased away completely. Once gone, he should not return to the grassland or its marsh. We have to work together. You cannot have your plan and I cannot have my plan and somebody else cannot have another plan. 

Teetiri protects the grassland - 22 - Need a common plan

22

Need a common plan

We need to have a common plan. We need to stay united and to be able to plan together, Kotwal said. Salonki’s partner kept nodding and shaking her head all the time, so Kotwal did not know whether she understood or not. Tired of talking to Salonki’s partner, Kotwal flew to some higher branches, so he could be alone.

Meanwhile, Teetiri kept wandering around the grassland at the edge of the marsh, feeding upon ants, beetles and the new emerging caterpillars. Teetiraa was away sitting at the nest, in a very irritated mood, with the hot sun blazing away overhead. Once in a while, a wandering ant and beetle ended up being picked up by Teetiraa, while still sitting at the nest. He had to be careful not to create any visible movement, any sudden jab or attack that could be seen by a predator. It was like an unending game of patience. He had to wait until the insect was actually within jabbing distance of his beak without having to stretch too far.

Phoolchuki was chattering away with Darzeee at her nest. Both these birds needed to be very resourceful when it came to building their nests. While one stitched leaves to make her nest, the other, Phoolchuki, had to weave and mix and interweave. The nest comprised a very tiny mass of fibres that came together to make a small indistinguishable ball. Both Phoolchuki and Darzeee had a lot to gossip about. They were mainly concerned about using good material. Good flexible fibre was very difficult to get for nesting material nowadays.

They were discussing the usefulness of using some of the cotton-waste that had been left lying near the water pump at the groundnut farm close by. Darzeee informed Phoolchuki that she had got very angry and upset when Darzi had brought the cotton-waste for lining the nest. Later she had found that it was very strong, and she could also pull out the fibres and use it for stitching the leaves that held her nest together.  Darzeee also invited Phoolchuki to try all her strength and pull the fibre. It would not break, Darzeee told Phoolchuki.

Teetiri protects the grassland - 24 - Salonki asks for Guturgu at the village

24

Salonki asks for Guturgu at the village

I need to find Guturgu, the blue-rock pigeon, and seek his advice on taking revenge on Billi, Salonki told Bade Miya and Chote Miya. Billi is hiding in the marsh near the grassland and frightening all the birds, Salonki added. Bade Miya snorted angrily. Billi is hiding in the marsh near the grassland? That would not do, that would not do, that would not do, Bade Miya said, and angrily snorted and shook his head up and down and sideways. Chote Miya also nodded vigorously. The marsh is my favourite resting spot during the hot noon sun. I need the marsh, to relax, after a hard day's work at the cropfields.

Bade Miya added, we need the marsh, and we need all our bird friends. We need Kotwal, the black drongo, Salonki, the common myna, and her cousins, along with Teetiri and Teetiraa, the redwattled lapwings. We need all our friends while we rest and wallow in the marsh. Salonki also nodded and added that all the birds also loved their presence. The presence of the oxen in the marsh disturbed the insects from its bottom and provided easy food for most birds. Especially Salonki and her cousins and for Kotwal. They simply loved to perch on the backs of the oxen.

Billi should be chased away from the marsh, Bade Miya said. And who would do that, would you? asked Chote Miya sarcastically. Yes. Yes. I can chase Billi away. I can chase all the village dogs. I am not a coward like you, replied Bade Miya. Coward? Who are you calling a coward? Chote Miya asked. You. I am calling you a coward. Bade Miya retorted and  added, I would have loved to go with Salonki right away to chase Billi from the marsh, but I am tied down to the post by my farmer. What can I do? I am helpless right now.

Chote Miya snorted angrily, and said that it was more likely because Bade Miya had just eaten a lot of sugarcane, and could not even move from his spot. Bade Miya again rose to retort, but Salonki decided not to hang around and listen to this conversation that went back and forth throughout the day. Salonki knew that these two could argue upon absolutely useless topics for days and weeks without any purpose. They had nothing else to do. They had to sit next to each other, walk alongside each other, work with each other, and live with each other as long as their farmer kept them together. Without seeking any more advice from Bade Miya or Chote Miya, Salonki flew off to the flock of pigeons and to ask them about Guturgu. 

Teetiri protects the grassland - 27 - Guturgu – the leader of the pigeons

27

Guturgu – the leader of the pigeons

Our young male pigeons guard us by continually flying in the sky in tight circles to keep a watch and warn us if any animal was approaching the shed or the neem tree. But what about Guturgu, Salonki asked, was he your leader?  Yes, replied the shy young female pigeon. He plans all the activities of our flock, keeps them together, and helps us find food, shelter and protection. He ensures that they we are not harmed while our aunts and uncles are at the nests. He controls the entire population of blue-rock pigeons in the village. All of us owe our safe existence to him, said the shy young female pigeon, in obvious and absolute reverence to Guturgu.

Again there was a sudden drop of conversation, and silence followed. An almost silent flap of wings could be heard inside the shed and suddenly, Guturgu was there at the window sill. So, Salonki, my old friend, what brings you here away from the grassland? Guturgu asked, stepping outside the window. He was a huge one, larger and fatter than the other pigeons, or seemed to be so, thought Salonki. Salonki had known him earlier when he was slimmer, leaner and faster. Guturgu had visited the marsh waters in the grassland during one very hot summer some years ago. The village pools and the river had gone dry throughout the region during that year. The marsh waters were thought to be bad for drinking for the humans and thus it was freely available to the birds and animals through the summer. Unlike the village pools and the river, the marsh had retained its waters through the harsh summer. It had become quite crowded then, thought Salonki.

I need your help, Salonki said. I guessed as much, Guturgu said, for otherwise you would not be here. Do tell me what is it that you need. Salonki replied, O friend, the marsh waters may no longer be safe. Your know how precious is the marsh to all the birds. And now, we can no longer enter the marsh. Surprised, Guturgu swelled his chest, waved his wings above his head and asked, You can no longer enter the marsh? Pray tell why? Why is it that you can no longer enter the marsh? Is it no longer there? Are the waters of the magical marsh finally gone dry? Are we to suffer this summer? This is a serious matter, my friend Salonki.

Happy that Guturgu had taken the matter so seriously right at the first bit of information, Salonki added, O Guturgu, my old friend, I come to you for help, because only you can help us in the manner in which we need it. The waters are present and will remain so during this summer. But we cannot enter the marsh because Billi is hiding out there, waiting to catch any of the birds that would come inside the marsh grasses. Guturgu gave a hum of understanding, and relaxed. You came to me on your own, my good friend Salonki? And pray tell me, how did you know that I was the correct person to give you advice against Billi?

Teetiri and Kotwal have also sent their regards and seek your support in taking action against Billi, Salonki explained. Guturgu hmmmmmed and grmmmmmmed loudly, and then trmmmmmed and brmmmmed for some more time. He is thinking, said the young female pigeon, obviously very much in love with Guturgu. The young male pigeon-guards were very alert, watching the sky, the roofs of neighbouring sheds, and giving wing signals to other male pigeon-guards flying in the sky. Salonki looked around at the thirty blue-rock pigeons that were standing there waiting to hear Guturgu's words of wisdom. 

Teetiri protects the grassland - 28 - Guturgu gives advice to Salonki

28

Guturgu gives advice to Salonki

Would the marsh also come to this, Salonki wondered. Would the mynas, sparrows, bulbuls, lapwings and drongos, continue to live peacefully in the grassland? Would they have to begin to develop a very alert and attentive system like Guturgu and his pigeons?  This seemed so silly. Why live like this? Forever fearful? Thankfully, the grassland was not like the village, except for the danger from Naag or Dhaman or Shikra or Shaheen. Salonki whispered to himself. Probably these were the dangers of living near or in human settlements. What was Guturgu thinking? Was it so difficult to get rid of Billi? Would Guturgu be able to help? Would Salonki, Teetiri and Kotwal have to wait until Bade Miya went into the marsh to chase Billi away? Salonki wondered.

I can sense your worries, my old friend. You are thinking if your grassland would also become a dangerous place, with unknown enemies, Guturgu said. Yes, Salonki said, we can survive with our known enemies, like Naag, Dhaman or Kaawla. Sometimes we can fool Shikra or Shaheen. But animals like Billi will bring other problems with them. We cannot survive without our water. We need the marsh in the grassland, Salonki added. Guturgu nodded and hmmmmmed. I do not think I can help you as much as you hope I can do magic immediately to chase Billi away from the grassland. Do you not see how we live her, in constant fear of various animals? Guturgu asked.

I cannot lend you strength or wisdom, Salonki my friend. You need to solve this problem with your own strengths, Guturgu said. It is not wise to invite others to help you when danger threatens you inside your own house. You need to work together, Guturgu advised and added, all the birds in the grassland need to think about this together. You can do it. The answer is within you. You need to search for it, my dear friend, Guturgu said. Those who live together will always help each other. Do as we do. See how well we have organised ourselves.We have not lost a pigeon for the past more than sixty days. 

Teetiri protects the grassland - 30 - Salonki returns to the grassland

30

Salonki returns to the grassland

Salonki left Guturgu, puzzled and disappointed, and flew straight to Bade Miya and Chote Miya. They seemed to be arguing in very lazy voices, about the usefulness of their tails to chase away mosquitoes and flies that were hovering above them. Bade Miya wanted to use his tail to kill the insects, while Chote Miya was arguing that the tail should only be used to chase away the insects. Not to kill them. Chote Miya's opinion was that dead insects would be replaced with more and more new insects. It was better to have the number of insects that they were familiar with. Salonki perched upon Chote Miya's forehead and told them about Guturgu's advice about Bater and how the birds of the grassland need to protect the marsh by themselves. Bade Miya snorted immediately and said, what use is that advise? How can Bater help? He is a tiddly-piddly-widly small little scared ghost of a bird. He is frightened of the slightest movement of grass. Maybe the sight of his cousin jungle bush-quail would also frighten him. How can he help?

Chote Miya snorted angrily and told Salonki, O friend, do not get taken in by Bade Miya's words. He is more frightened of Billi or the village dogs than he would care to admit. He is of no use and his advise is also of no use. Do not misunderstand Guturgu, Chote Miya said. Guturgu is very wise, and usually knows what he is talking about. If he means that you have the strength in you to fight Billi, then Guturgu is correct. If Guturgu asks you to take Bater's help, then do it. Go and take Bater's help to fight Billi.

Puzzled at the strange advice from Guturgu being confirmed by Bade Miya and Chote Miya, Salonki flew back to the grassland. She flew nonstop to the lone babool stem near the marsh and perched on it to take some rest. Teetiri did not seem to be nearby. Kotwal could be seen perched on a high branch on the babool tree. All the other mynas were now settling down in the babool tree, some chattering, some flying back and forth from the river at the edge of the grassland. The farmers had returned on their bullock carts, filled with the foodgrain that they had harvested today. There must be a lot of spilled grain along the river edge where the carts had crossed over, Salonki thought. She could see mynas, doves, pigeons and sparrows feeding rapidly at the river-edge. There were a lot of birds flying about behind the bullock carts and in the cropfields beyond the river. 

Salonki called out to Kotwal and Teetiri. Hearing Salonki, Kotwal flew down immediately from his perch, while Teetiri was not to be seen. She must have gone back to the nest, Kotwal said. She is not here? She is not here? asked a worried Salonki. We need Teetiri. Guturgu gave some useless advice. We need Teetiri, Salonki gasped. Calm down, calm down, Kotwal said. We will get Teetiri back. Let us wait till she comes back from the nest. No, No, No, said Salonki and added, we will need to search for Teetiraa to return to the nest so that Teetiri can come back to help plan against Billi. 

Teetiri protects the grassland - 32 - Kotwal meets his family

32

Kotwal meets his family

He was correct. His father was indeed there, along with Kotwal's two brothers, one sister, one aunt and her two sons. They seemed to be in a very serious meeting insde the very shady branches of the arjuna tree along the river bank that faced the grassland. They seemed happy to see him, he thought. His two cousins and his aunt did not seem to be so happy. They must have again come to seek his father's permission to hunt for insects in the grassland, he thought. His father would never permit it, he knew, for it was given to Kotwal and two of his sisters only. His father had given him strict instructions that he would have to be careful not to invite other black drongos for otherwise he would not get enough insects to catch.

Kotwal’s elder brother welcomed him by raising his crest and fluffing himself, while his sister fluttered her wings in appreciation of how well he looked. The discussion was about locating the best trees to build their nests during this approaching season, Kotwal’s father told him. It seemed like this year’s choice was between the arjuna and the banyan trees. These trees would withstand the severe summer that would surely hit the region this year. The climate seemed to be getting bad and bad each year. The days were getting hotter each year, while the summer, winter and the monsoon was longer. Every aspect of the climate was getting to be too much each year, Kotwal’s father told all his children. Kotwal and his brothers and sister nodded respectfully.

This was the problem with meeting his family, Kotwal thought. His father had to lecture them and instruct them. He seemed to think that Kotwal and the other children did not know how to live like black drongos. Someday he would tell his father about his own adventures in the grassland, and of how all the birds lived together. But Kotwal’s father seemed to think that the grassland was not able to feed more than two or three black drongos. Once Kotwal had got used to the grassland, he did not wish to hunt for insects near the river banks or in the village. His sister had also begun to like to hunt for insects among the bushes between the grassland and the scrub forest. She hated going to the village or to the river banks.

Kotwal interrupted his father the moment he paused in his lecture. I need your help, and I need it urgently, Kotwal told his father. Before his father could answer with another lecture, Kotwal told everything about Billi, about Teetiri and Salonki, about Salonki’s family in the babool tree chattering nonstop, and about Guturgu’s advice. He now had to search for Bater urgently. It seemed to be the only option left for the birds to be able to protect the grassland. Billi should not be able to hide out in the marsh tonight. If he would do that comfortably, even for a single night, he would return to the marsh regularly and it would not be a safe place anymore. Only Kotwal’s father could help them out at this moment, Kotwal said. And as Kotwal had hoped, his father took charge of the situation. He immediately began to lecture to Kotwal and his brothers and sister on how to search for Bater.

Teetiri protects the grassland - 34 - The grassland is busy with birds

34

The grassland is busy with birds

Shikra and Shaheen flew out of their hiding places, disgusted at this widespread disturbance. Both birds of prey flew across the river to go and perhaps search for some other grassland. But there did not seem to be any sight of Bater and his family. Kotwal’s father flew down to Salonki and asked her to send some mynas to a distant bunch of rocks and tall grass. Salonki flew towards her sister’s group of twelve mynas who were busy gossiping about the good nesting spots in the old bungalow inside the forest. Salonki’s sister was explaining that the bungalow was not in a good condition, without anyone living in it, and had begun to break apart. It was a good spot to choose for several nests this season. It would also stay cool during the summer.

Salonki asked her sister and her group of mynas to go and continue with their gossip at the distant bunch of rocks and tall grass. The small flock of mynas went to the spot as directed and continued with their conversation about the bungalow in the forest. Salonki could still hear her sister explaining all the good nesting qualities that the damaged house seemed to possess. They needed new nesting spots, undisturbed ones, that would provide security and peace for the new flocks of mynas. The village indeed had been able to give them good nesting spots, but Guturgu and the blue rock pigeons had taken over all the nesting spots that the mynas had. The house crows were in control of the trees and their nesting spots near the village.

Salonki’s sister and her flock were busy making plans to shift to the bungalow in the forest for the coming breeding season. But all the conversation was what was helpful, thought Kotwal to himself. Teetiri was intelligent. She knew that all the mynas loved to chatter. And that the chatter was going to be helpful in disturbing Billi and now to search for Bater.  Meanwhile, Kotwal’s father accompanied by Salonki, flew to a tall tree near Salonki’s sister and her flock of mynas. The chatter was good, and it would disturb anybody who lived in this patch of the grassland.

Sure enough, from among the rocks, out came Naag’s sister, followed by two scorpions and some grasshoppers. Those grasshoppers looked tasty, thought Kotwal’s father and decided to go after them. He quickly asked Salonki to tell Kotwal to come over to this area to search for Bater, and flew after the grasshoppers. Angry but helpless at this instinctive gesture by Kotwal’s father, Salonki flew off to ask Kotwal to come over to join up with her to search for Bater. Kotwal’s father, in the meantime, kept darting in and out of the bushes, intent upon catching the grasshoppers. 

Teetiri protects the grassland - 37 - Bater does not want Billi in the grassland

37

Bater does not want Billi in the grassland

Bater immediately agreed with all the birds of the grassland that Billi had to be chased out of the marsh. It was an important part of the grassland. The birds needed the marsh. Even the jungle bush quail depended upon the marsh for its water during summer. But, how could the birds do it? Bater asked. Salonki intervened and spoke of her trip to the village. She spoke of her meeting with Bade Miya and Chote Miya and of her audience with Guturgu. Phoolchuki, Darzi and Bulbul listened in awe at Salonki’s description about Guturgu and his way of life.

Salonki spoke about Guturgu’s confidence that Bater would be the most important bird in the grassland to get rid of Billi. Teetiri had also immediately agreed to the suggestion. Frankly, Salonki said, she was still to comprehend how Bater could help, but that was the only option that was suggested to them. The other option was to wait for Bade Miya, the short ox, to chase Billi tomorrow. But, Teetiri had warned against allowing Bater to stay overnight peacefully in the marsh. So now, all the birds of the grassland were waiting for Bater to show some magic and chase Billi out of the marsh. Bater was amazed that Guturgu had proposed him.

So where was Teetiri? Bater asked Kotwal. Why was she not here along with Phoolchuki, Darzi, Bulbul, Salonki and the drongos? And where was Guturgu? Kotwal looked around at the other birds for help. It was Bulbul who helped out at the crucial moment. Teetiri was at her nest, while Teetiraa was at the riverbank, feeding for himself. Surely you would understand that, Bulbul added, you cannot risk leaving your nest, no matter what the problem. Phoolchuki took up the task, and said, you would have to go across the grassland, to meet Teetiri near the marsh. By the time we reach the spot, Teetiraa would have taken over at the nest and Teetiri would be free to guide the birds to protect the grassland.

Teetiri protects the grassland - 38 - Kotwal and his family assure Bater’s safety

38

Kotwal and his family assure Bater’s safety

I have to go up to the marsh to meet Teetiri? Bater asked. Why can’t Teetiri come here? How would I go all the way to the marsh? How can I leave my family behind in this corner of the grassland? With the racket that the mynas are creating and disturbing the grassland, my family can get exposed to predators without my presence. Hearing all these doubts and questions after questions, Kotwal’s father interrupted Bater and said, do not worry, my old friend, I will ensure that you reach the marsh safely. All my sons, daughters, brothers, nephews and nieces, all the drongos from the grassland, river banks, fruit orchards and the village, are here today. We will cover all the high branches along the way and keep a watch out. You can safely take your entire family with you.

Kotwal never had felt prouder of his father than at that moment. Trust his father to ramble along and hit it right each time. He chased after the grasshopper and found Bater. He got tired of Bater’s questions and found out a method to end the spate of questions. He went up to his father to consult him about moving all the drongos along the path to the marsh. Kotwal’s father chose the tallest tree for himself and refused to discuss the strategy with Kotwal. Bater is a courageous and timid bird, and he only needs to be encouraged that he would not be in danger. Let us all make a show of spreading around the grassland and end this torture of unending questions from that tiny tiresome character, Kotwal’s father said.

Kotwal smiled to himself. His father would never change, he thought. He called out to his brothers, sisters and cousins to spread out on to the highest branches of the trees in the grassland to keep watch for predators. For all his courage mixed with secretive behaviour, Bater really knew how to assert himself when the need arose, Kotwal thought. The drongos moved away from the rocky patch and grass clumps and took their guardposts. Kotwal informed Bater about the movement and the well-spread air cover that the drongos would provide across the grassland. Now Bater could move straight across the grassland to the marsh where Teetiri would be waiting. Bater could also take his family with him without fear. Normally that was a distance that Bater would take about two days to cover slowly, foraging here and there. But today, Bater could take his family along an open track, without stops and reach the marsh without fear.

Bater hesitated. He was as yet unsure if he could take the risk of moving out in the open, with his family, and run straight across the open grassland. Kotwal felt very tired, having had to keep answering Bater and negotiate with the other drongos, positioning them all across the grassland. After all this, Bater was still unsure and afraid. Salonki came to the rescue, having felt that Kotwal may give up at this moment. She informed Bater that the mynas would also begin to move back to the marsh and will keep flying above the grassland. All that movement would confuse any predator, and Bater would not have to worry. 

Teetiri protects the grassland - 40 - The birds call out to Bater and welcome him

40

The birds call out to Bater and welcome him

Kotwal’s father came to join the conversation. Better bring in Bater while he still has the courage to face up to Billi, he said and added, for otherwise, the jungle bush quail may disappear once again inside the grassland. Kotwal agreed, as also Teetiri, Darzi, Dominga, Phoolchuki, Salonki and Bulbul. Dominga called out to Bater, in a low whistle. Hearing it, Bater came out of the nearby grass clumps, alone, and stood in front of Teetiri. Kotwal and his family moved to the nearby tree tops to keep watch against any other predators. The drongos were worried that Shikra and Shaheen would decide to return suddenly to the grassland. Both Shikra and Shaheen would love to hunt Bater and his family.

Teetiri said hello to Bater and welcomed him inside the circle of birds that were in discussion. Bater came and stood very close to Teetiri. He seemed so frightened, Teetiri thought to herself. Bater asked Teetiri, What do you want me to do in a fight against Billi? I have heard that he is a very dangerous animal. Did Guturgu think that I could fight him? Teetiri looked at Bater in a worried manner. Yes, my friend, Guturgu did mention that you are the only hope for the grassland. We have to protect the grassland from animals like Billi. The peace and security of the grassland would be lost forever.

But how do we fight Billi? What can I do? Bater asked. And, what would happen to my family if something were to happen to me in the fight with Billi. My family of jungle bush quail depends upon me entirely. Where are they? Teetiri asked. Are they still at the edge of the grassland with the fruit orchard? Did you not bring them with you? Bater replied that his family was hidden nearby but he would call them out to meet all the other birds. He gave a small abrupt call, almost unlike a typical call of the jungle bush quail. Hearing Bater’s call, the jungle bush quail came out, one by one, in a straight line, and grouped themselves, with their backs to each other, in a very tight circle.

There were twelve jungle bush quail, including Bater,  standing together in a circle. They were all looking extremely frightened. Two or three of them were actually shivering. Bater went around them, reassuring them to be calm, and that they were among friends. He asked them to relax and come out of the circle. Only one other jungle bush quail broke the circle that they had formed, and came out to stand alongside Bater. Proudly, Bater introduced him to Teetiri as his son. But the other jungle bush quail kept standing with their backs to each other, in a circle, so that each one of them could cover all the directions. 

Teetiri protects the grassland - 42 - Teetiri needed a good plan

42

Teetiri needed a good plan

What could Bater and his family do? How could they help? They could not even frighten Darzi or Phoolchuki. How could they fight Billi? Teetiri thought angrily to herself. She needed a plan, a perfect plan and Bater had to somehow figure in it. Whatever it may be, Billi had to be chased out of the marsh. Kotwal asked Teetiri, well, you seem to be the leader now, my good friend. Do we have a plan that includes Bater? Are all of us going to figure in it? We could have all the mynas, sparrows and drongos just fly in together and dive to hit Billi in the marsh. He may get frightened and run away if we did that suddenly, screeching and screaming.

Even as he was speaking, Kotwal’s father was shaking his head in disagreement. No, No, that would not do. Where do you come up with a plan like this? That is not a plan. That is disaster. No doubt you would alarm Billi, but even a single swipe of his paws could kill three or four sparrows or at least two mynas. What if your own brother or sister were to be killed? Did you think about that? You cannot go to war without being sure that you would not loose one of your own. A leader does not send in his warriors without being sure of winning the battle. Without being sure that he would not loose his warriors. A leader has to be in the war, leading from the front. Not hiding in a crowd.

Phoolchuki, Darzi and Bulbul nodded together in agreement. Salonki and Chimini also nodded and said, yes, we cannot risk any of our brothers, sisters or cousins being killed in the attack. We thought that the purpose of chasing Billi away from the marsh was to prevent our family members from being killed. We need a plan, Kotwal’s sister said, that does not place us in danger from Billi. Hearing his own sister turn on him in this manner, Kotwal turned to Teetiri and said, my good friend, there you have it. Now you are also part of the action. The plan requires only you and Bater. And you have to be ahead of Bater. So how are you going to go about it?

Teetiri - the redwattled lapwing was now the leader

of the birds of the grassland according to Kotwal

[Photograph by Saleel Tambe]

Teetiri was now completely confused. So she was to also figure in the plan. When did she become the leader? She certainly did not recollect any sort of consensus before this day indicating that she was the leader of the birds of the grassland. And now, in this time of crisis, when she felt she had to take the initiative, every bird turns around and makes her the leader. How could she be certain that any action against Billi would not put other birds at danger of loosing their lives? How did she end up with this problem? It was Salonki who had brought this idea of getting Bater to be part of the plan. Did Guturgu do this to tease Salonki?