Teetiri protects the grassland - 1 - Teetiri waits for the dawn

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Teetiri waits for the dawn

Teetiri, the redwattled lapwing, was looking forward to the dawn. Already, the orange rays in the sky were getting brighter. The silence of the night seemed to be louder than the sounds of the day, she thought to herself. She always had to be alert, watchful so that Dhaman, the rat-snake, could not quietly steal up and grab her newly laid clutch of two eggs. Dhaman loved to eat eggs of ground-nesting birds. But, especially eggs of the red-wattled lapwings, yes, especially eggs of the red-wattled lapwings, said Teetiri, to herself, again and again.

She could easily spot Dhaman and Naag, the cobra, in the daytime when, they were quite clumsy in their approach while hunting for food through the grassland. Why, only yesterday, Teetiri had gossiped with Chimini, the house sparrow, and told her that she was certain that Naag was actually blind and was only able to stumble upon food by accident or because his prey was too shocked to run away. Chimini had giggled as always, and immediately flew off to tell her sixty-seven brothers, sisters, cousins, uncles and aunts who were feeding nearby on a heap of harvested grain.

Chimini was like that only. Very busy, chattering all the time, and laughing about everything. Teetiri often wondered if Chimini actually ever listened. She never seemed to be paying attention. Kotwal, the black drongo, was not like Chimini. Dark, glossy and handsome, warrior-like with his alert looks and forked sword-like tail, he was a faithful friend. He loved to perch on the low branches of few grassland trees throughout the early morning and late evenings, and listen to Teetiri's constant gossip about everyone. Kotwal always listened attentively but never complained.

Kotwal, the black drongo was a faithful friend to Teetiri

He loved to listen to Teetiri's gossip from a low branch 

[Photograph - Savio Fonseca]

The orange light in the dawn sky was getting brighter now. Teetiri knew Chimini and her large family would soon wake up from their night-time sleep in the large babool tree. This was a moment that Teetiri dreaded and looked forward to, at the same time. All the peaceful stillness of the night would be gone, but, it also was an indication to her that now she could afford to relax at her nest.

Teetiraa, her partner would now come to take his place at the nest. He must have been sitting at some other spot, not so far and not so near. He knew it was time for him to take over his duties at the nest once the Chimini family began to sing. It was quite hideous, he thought, having to wake up like that. Teetiri was however very happy about it, he knew. The Chimini family did wake him up quite rudely, he thought to himself. 

Teetiri protects the grassland - 2 - With the dawn, comes the sound

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With the dawn, comes the sound

And then suddenly, in one very small moment of time, the orange shade in the sky glowed brighter, and all the trees seemed to come alive. It began with Bulbul, the redvented bulbul, whistling a soft note, trying to wake up her partner in the nearby branches. Phoolchuki, the purple sunbird, picked up that note, in the small thicket of weeds and grasses. Phoolchuki was searching for his partner, for she could not be seen easily inside the thicket. His frantic calls set off Dominga, the magpie-robin, sleeping on the topmost branches of a nearby Babool tree.

Dominga, the male Oriental Magpie Robin - 

He loved to sing from the topmost branches

Teetiraa and Teetiri were good friends of Dominga. 

His morning song woke up the grassland.

[Photograph - Savio Fonseca]

Teetiraa knew that Dominga was a very proud bird. He loved to hear his voice, he had told Teetiri. She had for once, agreed with him. Teetiri had said that Dominga sang for two reasons. Firstly, was to tell all other birds that he could sing beautifully. And secondly, he sang loudly in order to prevent his brothers, uncles or nephews from singing nearby. Teetiraa had seen Dominga chase away his male relatives on several occasions, and therefore was not unhappy that he had to agree with Teetiri.

Dominga's song woke up Chimini and her large family. And, instantly the small grassland between the forest and the sandy banks along the river was filled with sound. Lots of sound. The Chimini family was very noisy. They seemed to talk to each other all at once. Chatter-Chatter-Chatter-Chatter seemed to be followed by Chatter-Titter-Chatter-Titter. Sometimes one did not know if at all there was a purpose in all their talking. Their loud chatter in the babool trees, seemed to get Salonki, the common myna, and her family started. Salonki's family and several other Myna families preferred to rest together in the large Chinch (tamarind) trees that stood bordering the grassland with the nearby forest.

During the day, only her partner accompanied Salonki, while they moved around hunting for food. At times, eight to ten of her brothers and sisters and their respective partners came whenever food was available. At night though, the Chinch tree was filled with hundreds of myna families, and their sounds at dusk could easily drown the sounds of the Chimini families in the babool trees. It was indeed amazing, thought Teetiraa and Teetiri. Here they were, one partner to the other, only the two of them, content in living with each other, and these other crazy birds, were intent on living with hundreds and thousands of their relatives, in the same tree. In the same tree? Would they not get tired of seeing so many relatives all the time? How much more boring can it be, thought Teetiraa.

Teetiri protects the grassland - 3 - How the eggs were lost once before

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How the eggs were lost once before

He was once again thinking too much about the other birds, thought Teetiraa, scolding himself. Teetiri, Kotwal and Phoolchuki had warned him about this dangerous habit. He had to pay attention to the fact that both Teetiri and Teetiraa had to be responsible to their duties at the nest and the newly laid clutch of two eggs. Teetiraa was supposed to help Teetiri in guarding their nest very carefully. There were enemies everywhere. The grassland was not as innocent as it seemed to be at the beginning. Their enemies were very clever and could hide anywhere in the open grassland. They could not afford to make a mistake all over again. Two seasons ago, Teetiri had lost a clutch of three eggs when an alert Kaawla, the crow, had seen Teetiraa raise his head at the nest to watch Dhaman slither by at a distance.

Kaawla had waited quietly, hidden in the babool tree, unseen by even the usually very alert and vigilant Kotwal. Teetiri had to prevent Dhaman from locating the nest. Kaawla had flown straight to the nest at the very moment that Teetiri had stood up to walk away stealthily. Before anyone had realised the danger, Kaawla had broken all the three eggs and eaten them up. Teetiri had got very angry and flew straight at Kaawla and tried to hit him. Kotwal had also followed to support Teetiri.

But the damage had been done. Teetiraa had gone back to the nest to find that all the eggs were broken and the shell pieces lay scattered. Teetiri was inconsolable at that time. Kotwal, Bulbul and Phoolchuki had talked them through their days of sorrow. They had been good friends, thought Teetiraa. They had been very helpful in convincing Teetiri that it was not her fault. Kotwal explained to her that there were several times that Phoolchuki had lost her entire nest when the local villagers came to cut tree branches for use as fuelwood. Phoolchuki built her nests with great difficulty. It took her several days to construct it and had to suffer the loss several times in each season. Teetiri had taken courage from Kotwal and Phoolchuki and agreed with Teetiraa to try once again to grow a family of young redwattled lapwings in the grassland.

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

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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 - 9 - Dominga searches for Darzi

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Dominga searches for Darzi

Finally, it was Phoolchuki who gave the proper advice to Dominga. He told Dominga to go and consult the Darzi, the tailor bird. Darzi was known to be very wise. Very wise, and very skilled. Actually, Teetiri thought that Darzi was very wise, very skilled, very clever and a very good songster. Darzi’s song was usually at a very high pitch, but that call was that of a master at bird song. Nobody could mistake Darzi’s song. Also, Darzi was an expert at hiding his nest and was also known to be able to skillfully construct it with his beak. That was a skill that was very necessary for all birds, thought Teetiri to herself. It was very useful to be able to do activities such as stitching leaves together with one’s beak. Teetiri wished she could also stitch big leaves together and make a nest that was protected from all enemies.

Dominga went in search of Darzi. He was quite embarassed at having to seek Darzi’s help. This was because Dominga thought that he was the better songster than Darzi. He had always boasted about his abilities to Chimini and her large family, to Teetiraa’s cousins and to Kotwal. They had all agreed with him. But Domingi had once told him in the midst of another long argument that the other birds had merely agreed in order to stop him from talking about his songs and his skills. He did not even remember what the argument was all about. How could one remember all these silly things?

Domingi - knew that Dominga would not listen to her

The other birds had stopped arguing with Dominga.

[Photograph - Govinda Swami]

Now he had to search for Darzi. He met Teetiri and Phoolchuki. He told them that he knew that Darzi would love to laugh at him. But Phoolchuki and Teetiri had told him that Darzi was a wise bird and would not laugh at him. Teetiri actually offered to go with him to search for Darzi. The secret in searching for Darzi was to wait for his song. Phoolchuki also offered his help. Why were all these birds helping him, wondered Dominga. Why could they not just let him search for Darzi all by himself? Did they think that he was not capable of searching for Darzi?

Finally the three birds began to search for Darzi. Phoolchuki suggested that they should go and wait near the ber bushes. Teetiri agreed and went to walk around near the ber bush and kept searching for insects to eat. Phoolchuki flitted in and out of the branches of the ber bush and the nearby karonda (Carissa Karvanda???) bush. There were always nice tasty insects in these bushes. Some of those ants were quite delicious. The sap juice from the ber and karonda bushes tempted many insects to wander around the branches and Phoolchuki really enjoyed herself feeding near these bushes. Even Dominga, in spite of all his worries and anger could not resist eating up some of the ants that were stuck in the melting sap as it flowed around the branches.

 And then, suddenly, there it was, Darzi’s call, “Toowheeet-Toowheeet-whittoooo-whittooooo-whitoooo”. Very shrill, and very loud. It sounded like it came from the upper branches of the babool tree, Phoolchuki said. No, no, said Teetiri, it sounded more like it came from the adjacent neem tree. Dominga was amazed. He knew that this call seemed like it came repeatedly from both the neem and babool trees. There seemed to be actually two Darzi birds. Must be brothers, for otherwise how could one male Darzi bird tolerate the other so close to each other?

Phoolchuki volunteered to fly into the babool tree and request Darzi to come down to the ber bush so that Teetiri could also participate in the discussion. Teetiri could not climb into the branches of trees. She could fly about around the canopy but could not perch on the tree branches. Darzi would have to come down so that Teetiri could also participate in the discussion.

Teetiri protects the grassland - 14 - A strange animal hides at the marsh

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A strange animal hides at the marsh

It was Kotwal who was watching from a very high perch on the babool tree above the marsh who called out to warn her. It was a strange animal, hiding out among the grass, pouncing and frightening away the birds that came to the water. Kotwal flew down from his perch to a thin lone babool stem that had been trying to grow out of the grassland each year. The babool would try and grow taller each year but would find itself cut down by one of the wandering children from the village nearby. The lone babool stem never gave up trying. It kept growing out of the grassland each year in spite of being cut down. Kotwal alighted on the babool and whispered to Teetiri about the strange animal that had never been seen in their grassland before. It looked very dangerous. It seemed to be hiding in the tall grass and sitting very still.

The lone Babool tree - kept growing back after it was cut

Kotwal - the black drongo loved to perch on its highest branches

[Photograph - Govinda Swami]

What can we do? Teetiri asked. Can we not frighten it? Does it fly? Can it fly? Can it run very fast? Does it swim? All these days, Teetiri had thought that the marsh would have been the safest place in the grassland for her to hide her young ones when they would hatch out of their eggs. And now, this strange animal had come to the wetland. Had it come to stay there forever? What was it anyway? Could someone talk to it? Could we know more about it so that we could decide whether to visit the marsh or not? Teetiri asked Kotwal.

Let us call all the birds of the grassland together,  replied Kotwal. We will tell Darzi and Phoolchuki to go around on all the trees and tell the other birds to come here. I will go around the grassland and call the birds that I meet. Teetiri said that she would go near the river bank and call the birds from near the water. Darzi went and told Dominga and Domingi, while Phoolchuki went and told all his cousins and Chimini and her family. Kotwal went around the grassland and told his cousins and Bulbul. Teetiri went to the riverside and told all her cousins and asked her aunt to go and fetch Salonki, the common myna.

Teetiri’s aunt found Salonki and her partner dustbathing and soaking in the sun among some of the smooth round stones near the pools formed along the river. On hearing Teetiri’s message, Salonki and her partner left rapidly and came flying to land near the babool stem. Most of the birds had not seen the strange animal, except for Salonki and her partner. They had indeed seen the strange animal. Wow. It was quite frightening. Both Salonki and her partner kept nodding and shaking their head as though agreeing and disagreeing with each other. So what should we do? Teetiri asked. What did it look like? It was large, Kotwal said. It was dangerous, Salonki said. Salonki’s partner kept nodding and shaking his head. So what was the animal? Teetiri asked worriedly, wondering whether or not Salonki would actually provide an answer. Whatever it was, it was frightening, large and dangerous, said Salonki while her partner kept nodding and shaking his head.

Getting tired of Salonki and her partner by now, Teetiri asked Kotwal to fly low over the marsh once to check if the animal was still hiding out there. Kotwal agreed and flew straight up from the babool stem, straight and high and then glided down straight back over the marsh as though he was about to land there. While reaching just above the grass, Kotwal straightened his glide and flew out above the marsh and turned back to return to the babool stem. Not at all looking tired or frightened after this search flight, Kotwal turned to Teetiri and nodded. Yes. The animal was still out there. Sitting quietly. Not moving at all. This would not do, Teetiri thought. The animal would have to go. She needed the marsh returned to her for raising her young ones who were yet to be born. She could not risk losing another season and another clutch of eggs. She had to do something. But she needed more help. 

Teetiri protects the grassland - 15 - Teetiri asks Salonki for help

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Teetiri asks Salonki to help

She was almost sure that she could not depend on Salonki and her partner. Or, could she? Teetiri asked herself. It may perhaps be easier to ask Salonki to risk taking a chance than any other bird. Salonki would be willing to take risks. For all the singing and gesturing that Dominga, Darzi or Phoolchuki did, they did not have the guts to confront an enemy. She could not risk Kotwal. Teetiri needed Kotwal to warn her at her nest. Salonki would have to do for the moment, Teetiri thought.

After all, no smart predator was waiting out there so patiently to have to eat Salonki. With all the nodding and shaking that they did, the predator would definitely a stomach ache, Teetiri thought and smiled to herself. She called Salonki and informed her that she would need a favour. Salonki was surprised and felt very happy. Teetiri, Teetiri, TEETIRI was asking her, her, HER, Salonki, to do a favour. Teetiri was considered to be much smarter than Salonki and here she was, asking her for a favour. Sure, she said, ask and if she could do it, she would definitely be glad to be of any help.

Go to the jowar and bajra cropfields. Go and tell all your myna cousins and relatives that Teetiri needs their help. Bring them to the marsh. Teetiri told Salonki. Do not ask them to land in the marsh but ask them to perch on the branches of the babool trees. Tell them to just sit there and try to find out what the animal was. Was it a dog from the village? Was it Mongoose or Ghorpad, the monitor lizard, wandering away from his usual walking path? Whoever it was from among all these, they were all equally dangerous for lapwing chicks, Teetiri thought. What if it was not one of these animals? She could always deal with the known ones, and try and force them into moving away. It was the unknown and strange animals, that would be more worrying.

Salonki agreed to bring all her cousins and relatives to the marsh. She flew off with her nodding partner to the cropfields across the river where all her relatives gathered to feed upon the grains. They were also possibly gathering around the place where the farmers were boiling harvested sugarcane to make jaggery. The mynas loved to pick up the fallen jaggery when it was being transported back and forth from the boiling area in the cropfields to the godowns. The farmers usually left the godown doors open. The mynas also raided the godown interiors for there was more food to be found inside.

Salonki flew down upon the roof of the shed and called out to her relatives. All of them gathered together on the roof while Salonki told them about the request for help from Teetiri. They were all excited. They felt that Salonki had done all the mynas proud. Imagine, they spoke agitatedly, imagine, one of the lapwings was actually asking the mynas for help. Wow. That was something, indeeeeeed. They were also excited about this strange animal that Salonki was describing. Large, frightening and dangerous, Salonki had said. And, all Teetiri had asked of was to make sure that all the mynas perched on the babool trees and just stayed there? That was the plan? That was the entire plan? Of course, they could do it.  That was very easy. And for this easy bit of assistance, Teetiri would owe Salonki a favour? Wow. How foolish could the lapwings be? They told each other in pairs, for though they seemed to be in a large flock, the mynas interacted only as pairs. 

Teetiri protects the grassland - 16 - Salonki and her relatives talk to the stranger. And talk, and talk and talk.

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Salonki and her relatives talk to the stranger. And talk, and talk and talk.

The mynas flew off together from the roof of the shed with Salonki leading the way. They were actually flying in pairs, but looked like a flock when together. Each pair kept talking to each other even when flying. They would talk to each other until the end of their lives, thought Bulbul, who was flying by at that time. Salonki lead the flock of mynas directly to the babool trees. There were probably more than two hundred mynas together now. They kept talking to each other. That is what Teetiri had told them to do, did she not? Salonki wondered. What sort of a plan was this? How would Teetiri confront the animal if the plan was only to keep all the mynas in the babool trees and to ensure that they kept talking? How would she get to know who the strange animal was? Did she expect that the animal would talk to Salonki?

Salonki and her relatives searched for the mysterious animal in the marsh. From here, perched on one of the low branches of the babool tree that stretched out into the marsh, she could see over a large portion of it. Where was it? Where was it? Where was it? If the animal was indeed out there, then it was probably very smart. She could not spot it. And, was she not a very intelligent bird? Then how could the animal be smarter than she could? She called out to Kotwal who was still perched on the lone babool stem. Teetiri was standing on the ground next to the lone babool stem. Kotwal flew out to join Salonki at the higher branches of the babool tree and perched near her. Was the strange animal still hiding out there? Salonki asked. Sure, he must be out there in the marsh, said Kotwal, for he had not seen him come out to the grassland.

So, where was he? Salonki wondered. She could not see him from up here. Could Kotwal spot him? No? Then, where was he? Salonki peered hard at the grass. It was difficult to concentrate with more than 150 relatives behind you, chattering away loudly. The mynas could talk very loudly. They did not stop for the other partner to stop talking. It was getting to be very difficult to sit still and search for the strange animal. What could he do? He could not ask his relatives to keep quiet. Teetiri had especially wanted that all her relatives keep chattering away loudly. That Teetiri was crazy, Salonki thought. What was this plan anyway? Even Salonki got tired of hearing all her relatives talking non-stop. So, why would anyone else love to hear her hundreds of relatives talk non-stop?

Shhhhh, Kotwal said. So, even Kotwal was tired of Salonki and her relatives? No, it did not seem to be the reason for Kotwal to be ‘shhhing’ her. He was pointing towards some brown and green coloured grass. Salonki looked. Yes, there was something all right. It looked like a brown, or black, or brown, or black coloured fluffy ball, just about the size of Phoolchuki or Darzi that seemed to suddenly bob up and down in the grass. The fluffy brown or black ball could not be seen by anyone on the ground. From up here, Salonki and Kotwal could spot it only when it bobbed up and down.

It seemed to be irritated, Kotwal said. Bobbing up like that, almost angrily. It must be angry with all the chatter that Salonki’s relatives were busy with, Kotwal told Salonki. But what was it? Salonki asked. Kotwal flew up and tried to look at the fluffy ball from up closer. He flew back to Salonki and said that he could not see much more than that. Having said that, Kotwal flew back to Teetiri and his lone standing babool stem that grew so persistently out there, in the grassland. 

Teetiri protects the grassland - 19 - Salonki’s father spoke to Kaawla Chacha

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Salonki’s father spoke to Kaawla Chacha

Salonki’s father had asked one of the crows about this brownish yellow animal. The eldest of the crows, Kaawla Chacha, had replied that this animal was ‘Billi’, the village cat. It was very bold, very fast, very quiet and very patient. And, most important of all, it was very dangerous. One should not even try flying close to it. It could jump up, quite high, and injure you with its claws. Why do you grassland and forest birds come inside the village anyway, Kaawla Chacha asked angrily. Why do you come to suffer so badly? Do you see any of the village birds roaming around in the grassland? Or do you see the waterbirds roaming around in the forest? Get some sense, act smart, and survive. Stay in your habitat, Kaawla Chacha gestured angrily at Salonki’s father. Survive. Survive. Survive. Survive.

Salonki remembered all those unfortunate happenings very clearly. Salonki remembered Billi very clearly to this day. Only, he had not expected to see him inside the grassland, hiding in the marsh, and being an expert at camouflage, he told his partner. This animal in front of them, hiding away, very patiently in the marsh was Billi, Salonki told all her relatives. Why was it here, asked Salonki’s aunt, if it was supposed to be inside the village? If we should not go outside our habitat, what was this animal doing outside its village?

It must have come to the marsh to try its luck in hunting down some grassland birds, Salonki said. Okay. Salonki could also play this game. Salonki could also take this opportunity to take revenge for what had happened out there in the village that day. Kaawla Chacha had told Salonki’s father that day that Billi was smart and dangerous. Now let us see if Billi was indeed all that smart, Salonki told her partner. She flew to the lone babool stem to join Kotwal and Teetiri. Rapidly, she told them the story of that unfortunate day in the village when he had lost his brother.  Teetiri had never seen a cat. Billi? What was a Billi? Teetiri asked Salonki. Was it like Bhainsa, the buffalo? Was it like Gadheda, the donkey? Or, was it like Lombdi, the Wolf?

No, No, Kotwal and Salonki said together. It was not like Bhainsa, Gadheda or Lombdi, Kotwal said. This was a Cat, a Cat, a very dangerous animal, Salonki said. There are many types of cats, some large, some small, some spotted and some striped, Kotwal said. So, which one was this, he asked Salonki. Salonki only knew about the village cat from Kaawla Chacha and about how dangerous it was. Salonki herself had not seen Billi from very close. Whatever had been seen on that day in the village was a very fleeting glimpse of a very fast animal.

You won’t understand, Salonki told Teetiri. Do not just wait for it to come out. We have to bring Billi out of the marsh and chase it away from the grassland, Salonki said. They could not allow Billi to take over the marsh. The birds of the grassland would not be safe. No, No, Teetiri said, we have to fight for our grassland. I will fight for the grassland, Teetiri told Kotwal and Salonki, again and again. Not merely fight for the grassland, Salonki interrupted, we have to also humiliate Billi so that he would never return to the marsh and the grassland. It would be a big favour; could they do her this favour? Salonki asked Teetiri and Kotwal. Could they help her take revenge? It would help her feel better and forget the unfortunate happening of that day in the village. They needed to help her plan. It would also help to drive Billi away from the marsh. Teetiri and Kotwal agree to help fight Billi.

Teetiri protects the grassland - 20 - Teetiri needed the marsh to be safe

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Teetiri needed the marsh to be safe

Teetiri agreed instantly while pecking fast at a passing beetle and swallowing it. Teetiri needed the marsh to be safe for her children when they would hatch out. She had planned the nesting in order that her children would be hatched just in time for the monsoon. But she was worried that the rains may be delayed by seven to ten days. She needed the water in the marsh and the safe hideout that the green grass would provide to her children.

Teetiri asked Kotwal to help Salonki plan against Billi. Kotwal also agreed to help. He had a very good reason to help because Billi had once climbed a mango tree adjacent to the village and destroyed the nest that belonged to Kotwal’s sister. Kotwal had not seen it happen but his father had described it to him. This Billi should never be allowed inside the grassland or at the marsh, Kotwal said. But we need more help, perhaps some clever birds from the village, Teetiri suggested. We do not know how to fight Billi, while the village birds would be able to help them plan. Both Kotwal and Salonki nodded in agreement.

Who could help them but Kaawla Chacha, said Salonki excitedly. He was the one who had scolded Salonki’s father in the village. He seemed to know a lot and seemed like a very wise bird. He may be able to help the birds of the grassland. Kaawla Chacha certainly seemed to be very intelligent. Salonki proposed that Kaawla Chacha could be invited to come to the grassland and help the birds lead an attack on Billi while he hid in the marsh.

Teetiri disagreed. She still remembered the way that Kaawla Chacha’s cousin had destroyed her nest and eaten up her eggs. She argued that Kaawla may be very intelligent but he was also a danger to the birds and their nests in the grassland. Kaawla Chacha should never be able to find out the secrets of the grassland or the marsh. An enemy is an enemy is an enemy. Especially one who destroys your nest and eats away the eggs. Such an enemy could never be trusted. We may replace one foolish enemy with a very smart and intelligent enemy, she said.

Kotwal agreed. Do not call Kaawla Chacha, he advised. A better friend would be Guturgu, the Blue-Rock Pigeon. Guturgu never destroyed any nests or ate any eggs. He was very peaceful, content to live with his family. He actually seemed to have a very large family. The blue-rock pigeons seemed to come out of the village in their hundreds to the cropfields when the grain was ready to be harvested. They were never to be seen flying around commonly in the grassland or the river or the forest. The local villagers were also known to feed them at a specific place. Guturgu could teach some tricks to the birds of the grassland. 

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

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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 - 29 - Guturgu asks Salonki to return

29

Guturgu asks Salonki to return

We have more and more chicks hatched each week. Many of my children and nephews and nieces have gone to neighbouring villages, Guturgu said. They will take over the other villages like we do at this one. Go back to the grassland. Talk to Teetiri and Kotwal, my good friends. They are wise. Take the help of Dominga, Phoolchuki and Darzi, Guturgu advised. Salonki wondered whether this advice was worth flying so rapidly all this way. Go back to the grassland and face Billi together? Salonki asked tiredly. I cannot go back and tell Teetiri and Kotwal that you told me to ask them to fight Billi on their own. Guturgu, my old friend, I need more advice, Salonki pleaded.

Guturgu laughed. All the pigeons standing on the roof, seeming to pay  attention to the conversation, also laughed uncertainly. They had rarely seen Guturgu in such a good mood. He was usually very angry, going around finding fault with everyone, and blaming everyone. He would scold all the young male pigeons, and threaten them that he would not allow them to become a leader among the pigeons in other villages. They seemed to be happy, Salonki thought, that Guturgu was actually laughing.

Yes, Yes, my friend, Guturgu said and added, I knew you would say that. It is always the best advice that is never found to be practical. Everybody wants practical solutions, not good solutions. You have not searched properly within the grassland to come up with your best weapon. Have you thought of all the birds in the grassland? Have you thought of those birds that know the dry grass areas and the marshy grass areas really, really, reallllllly well? Guturgu asked. Who? Salonki asked. Have you thought of that tiny small expert of the grassland, Bater[bb1] , the jungle bush quail? Guturgu asked. Go and ask Bater to help you. Go.

---

 [bb1]Bater – Jungle Bush Quail.

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 - 31 - Salonki tells the story about Guturgu

31

Salonki tells the story about Guturgu

Salonki told Kotwal the entire story about Guturgu and Bade Miya and Chote Miya. Upon hearing about Guturgu's confusing advice, Kotwal agreed with Salonki that Teetiri should be part of the plan to chase Billi away from the marsh. He said that he would search for Bater while Salonki should go to talk to her partner and relatives at the babool tree. It was a wonder that Billi had not already run away from the marsh while listening to the mynas chattering away non-stop and so loudly. Kotwal did not agree with Salonki that Teetiraa had to be called back to take Teetiri's place at the nest. Let us search for Bater first, offered Kotwal. He may perhaps know more about tackling Billi than we may know. Who knows? Kotwal shrugged.

Kotwal flew off across the grassland in search of Bater. He flew up high, trying to decide which area should be searched first. He could see Teetiraa hunting for insects near the river’s edge. He went up to the river and perched on an arjuna tree. There was Bulbul, moving around inside the arjuna tree branches. Phoolchuki's cousins were arguing nearby. Teetiraa seemed to be talking to some of his cousins from across the river. He could hear Teetiraa calling out to his cousins with short abrupt calls and their replies in a similar manner.

The sparrows were also enjoying themselves here, feeding on the fallen foodgrain and drinking at the various small puddles near the river, and getting themselves wet. Bater was not to be seen. How does one search for Bater? How could he search for Bater? He knew that the jungle bush quail was a very nervous bird, very protective of its children, rushing off in a great hurry, always seeming to go somewhere urgently. He had not seen Bater stop to chat with anyone. He had not heard any gossip about Bater. So how did he go about in the grassland without any other bird actually knowing about him and his family?

This would not do, thought Kotwal. He needed help.  He could not go about alone trying to search for the jungle bush quail in the grassland. He had to take help from his family. Even if he did not like to depend upon his family, he would have to go and ask them to help him search for Bater. He flew back and forth across the river, searching on both the banks. He knew that his father loved to sit in the shade of the arjuna trees and hunt for insects flying above the dry river bed. It seemed like a good day to meet up with his father, thought Kotwal, watching the numerous insects flying about. He could see at least four other black drongos flying out of a large arjuna tree and catching an insect each on every attempt. That was probably the spot where he would be able to catch up with his father, he thought. 

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 - 33 - A plan to search for Bater

33

A plan to search for Bater

Bater was excellent in hiding in the grassland, Kotwal’s father said. You could spend the entire season in the grassland without seeing Bater or any of his relatives. You cannot search for Bater, he said. You have to wait for Bater to show himself. The drongo family sat together to plan the strategy to spot Bater in the grassland. First, all the drongos, Kotwal’s family included, would fly out of the trees along the river-banks, and perch on high tree branches that overlooked every path and trail in the grassland. Second, Kotwal would have to go and ask Salonki for help. Salonki would have to get all the mynas to disturb the grassland wherever there were rocks and tall grass. They would have to move around the tall grass areas among the rocks and chatter loudly to disturb Bater and his family.

Having agreed on this, the drongos flew out of the tall arjuna trees along the river-banks to the grassland and began to choose perches on the branches of all the tall trees. From up here, they could spot movement on any path or trail in the grassland. The drongos were good at spotting the tiniest of insects flitting about and would be able to pinpoint any movement in the grassland. Kotwal flew over to the babool tree to meet Salonki. He explained the strategy to Salonki who immediately called out to her family to stop chattering. Once silence was achieved, and instructions passed on, Salonki asked her family to break up into small flocks and spread out among the rocks in the tall grass.

The mynas spread out as told by Salonki. Eight to ten mynas in each flock sat on the rocks and began to chatter loudly. Hundreds of mynas started walking around, jumping up and down the rocks, running after insects and pecking at the wandering red crabs that seemed to be lost away from the water. With all the mynas moving around, the grassland suddenly seemed like a small place, after all. The drongos could immediately see the effect on the grassland. There was a confused looking Dominga, an angry Phoolchuki and a disgusted Darzi flying up from their nests, upset at the peace of the grassland being disturbed in this manner. Kotwal’s father spotted Naag rushing away to hide inside a hole next to some rocks, while Dhaman could be seen hurrying away to another hole. 

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.