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

14

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

16

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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 41 - Bater and his family are not frightened

41

Bater and his family are not frightened

Teetiri smiled at Bater’s son and remarked how brave he was, to step out of the circle and show his courage like his father. Phoolchuki added her bit, by saying how Bater and his family were the most courageous of all the birds and how only they could save the grassland. Bater also looked very proud and hugged his son, and agreed with Teetiri about wanting to save the grassland. Kotwal was amazed, and said, Wow, you mean you will agree to do whatever it is that would need to be done? You are not frightened? You do not even know how you would fight with Billi. How can you be so brave?

I have to be brave, replied Bater, for I am required to save my habitat. This is my grassland as much as it is yours. You are all so concerned, Teetiri, Phoolchuki, Salonki, Chimini, Darzi, Bulbul, Kotwal and Dominga. How can I not gather courage to fight? I want to first indicate my intention to be ready to fight. Once I am convinced that my course of action would be to fight Billi, I can be happy to agree with whatever plan that Teetiri will make. After all, Teetiri is the only bird in the grassland from amongst all of us who is required to have the most complex survival strategy. Look at all the calling and signalling that Teetiri and Teetiraa have worked out between the two of them.

All the birds looked at Teetiri with a new respect. Yes, they had never realised the fact that Teetiri had to have a very complex survival strategy in the grassland. Most birds built their nests depending upon its efficient design and built their strategies around it, while Teetiri had to hide her nest without building it. Teetiri and Teetiraa indeed had a complex signalling strategy, a different strategy to approach the nest, and another one to leave it, another strategy to use while sitting at the nest, and another to use while feeding nearby. Wow. They had seen it all happen in front of them, but had never realised the magic of it all.

Kotwal looked at Bater with more and more respect. Kotwal’s father nodded his head up and down in appreciation of what Bater had just pointed out. Dominga let out a very melodious appreciative whistle. Bulbul began singing in agreement. But, as Teetiri thought to herself, for all the bravado that Bater seemed to show, he continued to look frightened, as did his entire family. What could they do? Teetiri wondered. They looked so frightened. They did not stay still, always hesitant, looking all around them, worried, panicky and kept turning around to look at all sides. 

Teetiri protects the grassland - 44 - Teetiri decides on the plan to fight Billi

44

Teetiri decides on the plan to fight Billi

Teetiri quickly outlined her plan to fight Billi. It would require the participation of all the birds of the grassland. Each one would have a separate role to remove Billi from the marsh. First, she called Bater aside and told him about his and his family’s role in the plan. Next, Kotwal was told to bring together his family and explain to them about their part of the strategy. The plan would require excellent coordination between Kotwal and the drongos and Bater and the jungle bush quail. Teetiri would lead the attack like the leader that she was just elected to be.

Next, came the role of the lone birds, Darzi, Phoolchuki and Bulbul. Darzi was asked to go with Phoolchuki and play their roles exactly as Teetiri had told them to. After the lone birds, it was the responsibility of the large flocks, namely the mynas and the sparrows. Salonki was asked to explain to her family of more than a hundred mynas about their role. Chimini had come back from the cropfields with her large family of sixty-seven sparrows. They were also given a role in this plan. All the birds of the grassland went about to begin the war against Billi. Except Bulbul.

Bulbul sat on a low babool branch that swung low over the marsh. He had not been told about the entire plan. He was only told that his role would be to sit on the low babool branch and keep watching Billi. That was to be his entire role. Teetiri had worried that he would perhaps not be able to keep it as a secret. But because of his location, Bulbul saw the entire war happen out there that day in the grassland. He went back to tell other bulbuls in the village of what he saw, and how the birds defeated Billi and chased him away from the grassland. The bulbuls later told the story to Bade Miya and Chote Miya. Bade Miya told the story to Kaawla Chacha while Chote Miya excitedly added some unrelated parts while telling the story to Guturgu. The “War of the Marsh Waters”, as it came to be known was later told by Bade Miya, Guturgu, Kaawla Chacha and Bulbul to several other birds and animals. It became known as a famous war, and the story is still being told out there in the grassland. Here is how it happened.

Teetiri protects the grassland - 46 - Billi attacks Bater and attacks and attacks

46

Billi attacks Bater and attacks and attacks

Billi crouched low and waited. Bater stepped out of the grass clump, walked about four steps in front, towards Billi. The drongo continued to call out in single syllables. The bulbul continued to sit quietly. Billi waited, hoping that Bater would take at least two more steps. Bater seemed to have different ideas. He retreated three steps. Bater stood quietly, and moved forward once again, and stood still further than he had come before. This is probably the best chance he could get today, thought Billi, and jumped up, hungry, forgetting his injured leg. At the very moment, the drongo called in a long screech, and Bater disappeared back inside the grass, just as Billi pounced on the spot, barely a microsecond later.

Kotwal - the black drongo - gave a warning call to Bater

Billi was worried that Kotwal was helping Bater to escape.

[Photograph - Govinda Swami]

Billi landed on the spot with a thud, and raised his paws hoping that he had caught the jungle bush quail. But there seemed to be no such luck. Bater was gone. Bulbul now seemed to be looking at Billi very intently, wondering what had happened just now. The drongo in the high branch continued to call out in short and single syllables. Confused, Billi looked around. There, that Bater was back, standing scared. But only this time, he seemed to be about four feet away. How did he move so fast? Billi wondered. The jungle bush quail seemed to be absolutely unconcerned that Billi had just then pounced on him. He seemed to be going around, excitedly at a small rock, pecking at something nearby. It must be an insect, Billi thought. How greedy can this jungle bush quail be? He had just then been attacked by Billi, and here he was, standing there, absolutely unconcerned, feeding on insects.

The jungle bush quail was not moving away from the rock, pecking repeatedly at the ground. Billi crouched again, and crawled nearer. Once again, Billi looked around, at the mynas, at the drongo and at Bulbul. There did not seem to be any other bird or animal visible nearby. The jungle bush quail was coming closer, and would again be near reach for a successful lunge by Billi. Crouching again, Billi covered two feet and jumped the other two feet.  Landing heavily on the ground, Billi checked out his paws, and realised that he had once again failed to catch the jungle bush quail. He was almost certain that the drongo had not called out, but could not be sure. But, the bulbul certainly seemed to be smiling at Billi’s failure. Was he laughing at Billi’s problems? Billi wondered. 

Teetiri protects the grassland - 47 - Bater escapes from Billi and escapes and escapes

47

Bater escapes from Billi and escapes and escapes

Bulbul was actually chuckling because Billi had failed to catch the jungle bush quail on each lunge. He had heard Kotwal change his warning call to a melodious note just before Billi had jumped. Bulbul was not sure that Billi had not understood the change in the tone of the warning call. But even Bulbul was not certain that he knew the entire plan. How had Bater managed to escape Billi’s lunge and move four feet away, and so fast? Such a nervous and frightened bird, but the jungle bush quail had jumped away with confidence at the very right moment. Was Billi presuming that Bater would be an easy bird to hunt down because he looked so frightened and nervous?

Billi looked around, wondering how Bater had managed to escape him twice. Was that drongo warning off the jungle bush quail? Did the drongo think that Billi was a dumb animal? He looked around to see if the drongo was perched at the topmost branch. He seemed to have moved away. Now there was another bird watching him from the lower branches. It must be that Phoolchuki, Billi thought, an absolutely useless bird to catch, for it was a very small bird and possibly not easy to hunt. Phoolchuki was very fast and mostly in the branches. Where was that jungle bush quail now?

Bater - the jungle bush quail - kept escaping

Billi could not catch Bater. He kept escaping easily.

[Photograph - Saleel Tambe]

There he was again, about six feet away. How does such a frightened looking animal manage to move so fast? Billi wondered. The jungle bush quail was looking scared. Bater seemed such an easy target. He had better make sure that there was no mistake this time. He should be lucky on the third time, Billi thought to himself. He looked around to see if the drongo was around. Well, he certainly did not seem to be at the perch, and there did not seem to be any other drongo calling out. Bulbul was at the same perch, but at least he was quiet and he would not disturb or warn the jungle bush quail. Only that irritating Phoolchuki was moving around in the lower branches of the babool tree, warbling in a low voice, and trying to look for insects. Billi moved again, crouching low, and moving very slowly.

Billi crawled for about four feet, through the tall grass. He wanted to make sure that he could certainly catch the jungle bush quail this time. He was only two feet away from the very frightened looking Bater. The jungle bush quail was moving around, very nervously, one step to the left, one step to the right, one step to the front, and running back some steps. Billi did not even want to stop and wonder why Bater was moving around in such a manner. He was getting hungrier and hungrier. He needed to catch that jungle bush quail very fast. He took one last look around. The drongo was still absent, Bulbul was sitting quietly, watching Billi, while Phoolchuki was moving around, warbling in a low, low voice. 

Teetiri protects the grassland - 48 - Bulbul wonders about the plan

48

Bulbul wonders about the plan

Up above in the babool tree, Bulbul wondered as to what this plan was all about. He had thought that he had understood it when Kotwal had warned Bater twice, at the very instant that Billi had pounced. Bater had disappeared in the grass in a very rapid flash, the moment that Kotwal had changed his call from a low single syllable to a harsh screech. But Kotwal was not to be seen now. How Bater would escape Billi this time, Bulbul wondered. Phoolchuki kept moving from branch to branch and warbling in a low voice. Just as Billi stopped crawling and crouched to prepare for the jump, Phoolchuki stood still on a low branch and changed her call to a longer melodious note.

Billi had begun to make the jump when Phoolchuki changed her call. But Billi had not noticed the change as he was absolutely engrossed in trying to catch Bater. Billi landed once again on the marsh ground, but this time on very wet and soggy soil. He tried to get up but seemed to be stuck in the slush. He struggled and somehow pulled himself out of the soggy and slushy mud patch. He searched the spot to see if he had caught the jungle bush quail. He had failed once again. This was getting to be very irritating. He was usually very good at catching birds in the village, when he hid himself in the trees and bushes. What was puzzling was that he could not seem to catch the most frightened looking bird in the grassland. How did that jungle bush quail do that? How did he manage to escape his lunge and at the very next instant disappear and reappear four or six feet away?

Bulbul realised now that while Billi kept chasing Bater around the marsh, Phoolchuki, Darzi and Kotwal were moving around in the low babool branches. Kotwal stayed inside the thick canopy, unseen but coordinating Phoolchuki and Darzi. They were signalling back and forth to Bater and his family, indicating which way Billi was moving about, and where he had to be taken. Bulbul began to assemble the plan as he understood it at the moment. Teetiri had probably identified one bird to warn Bater at the very moment that Billi would make his jump. The birds in the grassland had also apparently decided that Kotwal would warn Bater for two jumps while Phoolchuki and Darzi would also alternately warn the jungle bush quail. Salonki and her mynas had surrounded the marsh along the sides facing the grassland. The unguarded side of the marsh was the one leading towards the village. 

Teetiri protects the grassland - 49 - Bulbul is puzzled about Bater and Billi

49

Bulbul is puzzled about Bater and Billi

But similar to Billi, Bulbul could not understand how Bater could disappear and reappear four to six feet away. Why did Bater simply not keep running towards the village so that Billi would run out that way? Billi was also getting tired at this roundabout. This frightened looking bird seemed to be able to move so rapidly and always kept escaping his attacks. How did Bater do it? How did he escape each time? And, how did he move so fast? There he was again, four feet away this time. The jungle bush quail continued to look very frightened. Billi looked around, to see if any other bird would warn off Bater. There did not seem to be any, for the drongo was not to be seen, and Phoolchuki was moving about in the inner branches.

Billi crawled faster this time through the grass. He was low, and he was certain that Bater had not seen him move towards him. This time around, he would be successful, Billi thought. It would be better if he did not waste more time, but straightaway jump right on the jungle bush quail. There, the jungle bush quail continued to do that strange side-step to the left and right, followed by two steps to the front and a brief running scamper backwards. Billi wondered as to what this strange movement was. Even Bulbul was getting fascinated by the dancing steps of the jungle bush quail. Both Billi and Bulbul were so engrossed in the step-movement of Bater that they did not see Darzi’s sudden appearance in the babool branches.

Again, just as Billi got ready to pounce, Darzi called out in a low whistle. Bater disappeared instantly, but Billi had already begun to jump. This time around, Billi landed further in to the marsh, and found that he was sinking in the slushy mud. At the very moment, Bulbul saw that there was a jungle bush quail standing behind Billi at the spot that he had jumped. He looked back inside the marsh startled, and found that there was another jungle bush quail standing at the spot of the previous jump, and another quail at the second jump and yet another jungle bush quail at the spot of the first jump. 

Teetiri protects the grassland - 50 - Bater and his quail family

50

Bater and his quail family

So that was the other part of the strategy, and what a wonderful plan, Bulbul thought. Billi was actually trying to catch a different jungle bush quail each time. Billi seemed to be absolutely sure that he was trying to catch the same jungle bush quail each time. Whereas he was, in fact pouncing on one quail, allowing him to get away, and then chasing another quail. Teetiri must have thought up this strategy when she saw that all the jungle bush quail looked equally frightened and nervous. Billi would never guess that he was chasing a different quail each time.

Meanwhile on the ground, a tired Billi had managed to pull himself out of the marsh waters. He was exhausted from all the effort that it required to come out of the very sticky slush. He decided to sit down and take some rest. Teetiri had planned for this situation also; it seemed to Bulbul, for Kotwal immediately flew down to where Bater was hiding in the marsh grasses. Hiding himself behind a thick clump of grasses, Kotwal tried to talk to Bater. It seemed like an impossible task for Bater was totally invisible even though he was sitting right in front of Kotwal. He could only see Bater’s eye looking back at him from the dry brown grass in front of him. The rest of the body was very difficult to trace out from its surroundings.

You had better signal to your family to withdraw from their positions, Kotwal told Bater. Bring them all closer to you and slowly start moving back from the marsh. Bater’s eyelid flickered up and down, and he raised his head to speak to Kotwal, Move back now? Why? We are doing so fine, all of us. I have never seen my family so bold, so courageous and faithful. They are, each one of them, confident of facing up to Billi. And they are doing it, without my presence at their side. I am so proud of them. Why should we withdraw now? Is this the end of Teetiri’s plan? Bater asked Kotwal.

No, my courageous friend, this is not the end of Teetiri’s plan, Kotwal replied, there is more to come. Just wait. Billi may get dangerous as he gets more and more tired. That is why Teetiri wants you and your family out of the marsh now. Each time that Billi pounced on one of your family, we were lucky. It could have gone the other way also. Each time, Billi could have managed to catch one member of your family. Now it is the turn of the other birds of the grassland to harass Billi. So, Bater, my friend, you had better call your family back. 

Teetiri protects the grassland - 51 - Bater is grateful to be alive

51

Bater is grateful to be alive

Bater nodded in agreement; sober now, after the initial excitement of having fooled Billi was over. Kotwal was correct. He could have lost one of his brothers or his sons in this war with Billi. It was indeed better to be smart and alive, than foolish and dead. Bater remembered his own father who had told him that it was not meant for the jungle bush quail to be a foolish hero, but to be cautious, careful and alive. Bater decided to call back his family. He raised himself from his hidden position, taking courage from Kotwal’s presence nearby, and called out in a low, repetitive whistle. The call was almost similar to any of the other whistling bird calls that could be heard in the grassland. But it seemed to serve Bater’s purpose appropriately, thought Kotwal, for he could see the jungle bush quail moving towards them.

An instant before, Kotwal could only see Bater. An instant later, there were seven jungle bush quail, standing in front of him. How did they manage that? Kotwal wondered. They moved unseen inside the grass, without shaking up any of the clumps, without any sound and managed to converge at a single point, on the basis of a single call from Bater. How did all the jungle bush quail in a flock manage to identify the single unseen point of convergence from inside all that thick grasses, bushes and rocks? They were really good at this. No wonder that Guturgu had suggested that Bater would have to lead the attack.

At a signal from Bater, the jungle bush quail family moved back from the marsh and went off to hide in the grassland. Kotwal flew out of the marsh grasses and joined Teetiri at the lone babool stem. Phoolchuki and Darzi had also come over to join Teetiri. Now we will start the second step of the plan, said Teetiri, and signalled to Chimini to move into the marsh. Kotwal and Phoolchuki were asked to go and perch themselves over the marsh to provide support to Chimini. Salonki kept moving around the marsh, visiting all her relatives, and ensuring that they kept chattering and making a lot of noise all around. Darzi stayed behind with Teetiri and later went on to sit next to Bulbul to make sure that he did not blurt out the plan to Billi, or to any other animal or bird. That was actually if Bulbul had understood the plan. 

Teetiri protects the grassland - 52 - Chimini and the sparrows join the battle

52

Chimini and the sparrows join the battle

Now that Kotwal had seen Billi so frequently, he managed to spot him immediately. At a signal from Kotwal, Phoolchuki called out to Chimini. Chimini came with about ten sparrows and alighted on an open patch of ground across a narrow stream of marsh water. They were about six feet away from Billi who thought that he was well hidden inside the grass clumps. The sparrows began to take a sand bath, fluffing their feathers, playing around, singing and having a merry time. They started calling out to each other, jumping up and down, preening each other and removing insects from their feathers.

Billi was amazed at all the sudden activity inside the marsh grasses. He had not seen a single bird throughout the day and now there were quail after quail and now the sparrows. There were ten sparrows sitting at the marsh grasses, all together. At least he would not fail in catching at least one sparrow. He had convinced himself that he had not caught the quail because it was alone on each occasion. This time around, he could certainly catch one or two sparrows. He looked around to check if that irritating black drongo was still sitting at the topmost perch. He suspected that the drongo seemed to have a role in helping the quail to escape.

The black drongo was not to be seen. There was that Bulbul, sitting silently, watching and smiling at Billi’s foolishness. Billi was sure that this Bulbul was also somehow involved in his failure to hunt successfully. Why was he sitting there, without any movement, watching all the time? Billi thought. There was Darzi, sitting next to Bulbul now. Strangely, Darzi seemed to be very intent on watching Bulbul rather than the marsh. The situation seemed to be correct to try and hunt the sparrows. They did not seem to be aware of his presence, Billi thought to himself. Somehow... 

The sparrows were too much of a temptation for Billi. He decided to go in for catching at least one or two sparrows. He crouched, crept quietly, very slowly, crossing a distance of about two human feet. He did not continue, but waited for some time, looked up and above, to see if the black drongo had returned. There seemed to be a narrow stream of water between Billi and the sparrows. The rocky stream was about a foot wide, and the sparrows were about another three feet away. Once again deciding to go ahead with the attack, Billi moved in to the stream, practically lying down in the water. The sparrows did not seem to suspect anything. 

Teetiri protects the grassland - 53 - Chimini and the sparrows are in danger

53

Chimini and the sparrows are in danger

He had now crossed the narrow stream and stayed low, keeping one thick clump of grass between him and the sparrows. He kept looking around to see if the black drongo or Phoolchuki had returned. Bulbul continued to perch where he was. It seemed amazing to Bulbul that Billi had actually come to within three feet away from the sparrows. Chimini and her relatives seemed to be in actual danger. Who would warn the sparrows now? Bulbul wondered, for Kotwal and Phoolchuki were not to be seen. Darzi was sitting alongside him, but seemed to be only looking at Bulbul. Wonder what was that all about? Bulbul thought.

Suddenly, Bulbul saw Kotwal, perched just behind Billi, at a very low branch. He seemed to have positioned himself at a spot where Billi could not turn around to look without exposing himself to the sparrows. Chimini and her relatives could see Kotwal perched on a low perch, accompanied by Phoolchuki at another low perch about six feet away to the left. So, between the two of them, Phoolchuki and Kotwal, Bulbul realised, both of them could keep a watch on Billi. Wonder what was to happen now, Bulbul thought, and wished that he could discuss all these secret strategies with someone. He turned to see if he could discuss it with Darzi, but gave up the thought on looking at the alert gleam in the tailorbird’s eye.

Billi came up to within two feet of the sparrows. They seemed to continue to be ignorant of Billi’s presence. This was the right time, Billi thought, and jumped the remaining two feet at the sparrows. There it was again, Billi realised, the harsh warning call of the black drongo at the very moment that he jumped. The sparrows on hearing the call seemed to lift off, just a microsecond before Billi completed his attack. Billi landed with a very harsh and painful thud. The foolish sparrows had actually been playing and sandbathing on very sharp rocks. Billi could feel each rock throughout his body. Again, he had not managed to catch any bird.

This was getting to be a bad day, Billi thought. He would now stop attacking. He would have to develop a new strategy. He could not keep attacking and hurting himself. Already the leg-injury inflicted by the village dogs was very painful and now these sharp rocks. He would now wait for these stupid birds to come to him. Chimini and her family had flown to some low banyan branches and were now laughing at Billi. They seemed to be laughing and laughing and laughing and laughing. This was becoming very humiliating. He needed to prove himself, soon. He had to prove himself not merely for the sake of understanding if he could hunt properly, but also for satisfying his very hungry stomach. 

Teetiri protects the grassland - 54 - What could he do? What could he do?

54

What could he do? What could he do?

Whatcouldhedowhatcouldhedowhatcouldhedo? Billi kept repeating to himself. He had to find himself some food. He began to walk around the stony patch, not wanting to go back across the path where he had had bad luck trying to catch the jungle bush quail. Bulbul was watching him from above, wondering as to whether Billi now had a plan. He knew that Teetiri certainly had a plan and that seemed to be working so far. Where would it end? How would it end? How would all this running and chasing be able to scare Billi away from the marsh? He certainly did not look like he was about to leave the marsh.

Suddenly, Kotwal moved from his perch in the higher branch and came to one of the lower ones, in complete view of Billi. On another tree, away to the left, Kotwal’s father could be seen perched on one of the higher branches. And, another tree had Kotwal’s sister perched on one of the higher branches. And all the three drongos began to call each other. Billi looked up, startled at the sound of three black drongos calling out to each other behind him. This did not look good, he thought. But, wait a minute, Billi realised, perhaps it was a good thing, after all. If those three drongos were busy chatting with each other, way BEHIND him, then there would be no problem in hunting for birds in FRONT of him. Well, he was certainly an intelligent cat, and nobody could fool HIM, that was for sure, Billi told himself.

Billi kept walking slowly in front of him, towards the high ridge of the grassland. The marsh ended at the high ridge, and the waters collected underground as a natural spring and came out below the fifteen feet ridge as a small stream that flowed into the village. Anybody visiting the grassland or the marsh would not be able to understand that even the grass and bushes growing on the ridge-top were actually supporting the marsh in providing waters to the village. The fifteen feet high ridge had a natural slope that fell away gradually towards the river on the other side of the grassland. The river waters supported the agriculture while the marsh waters fed the stream to the village.

Bulbul - the redvented bulbul - wondered about Billi's walk

Why was Billi walking slowly along the water stream?

[Photograph - Govinda Swami]

Bulbul kept wondering as to why Billi was walking slowly along the narrow water streams in the marsh towards the high ridge. Perhaps it was because of Kotwal and the other drongos chattering away to one side, inside the marsh. At the further end, Salonki and her cousins were creating a loud noise. Chimini and her cousins along with the other members of the family had now taken courage and were settling on the babool branches inside the marsh and gossiping loudly. Billi was perhaps looking for some peaceful spot to hide and hunt. What would Teetiri do now? Bulbul asked Darzi, unable to contain himself any longer. Darzi seemed to glare more fiercely at Bulbul and continued to keep quiet. 

Teetiri protects the grassland - 55 - Billi spots a nesting Teetiri

55

Billi spots a nesting Teetiri

Billi kept getting irritated. Those drongos seemed to have got bolder and begun to perch inside the marsh. The lone drongo on the high perch must have called the other drongos after having seen Billi fail in his attempts to catch the jungle bush quail. The sparrows had also been joined by other sparrows and had settled in the large babool tree in the marsh. He needed to get some quiet place to hide, take rest, and wait for other birds to catch. His stomach seemed to be growling louder and louder and Billi could not take it anymore. He needed an easy hunt, a bird that would be easy to catch, a bird that would not run away from the spot from where it was seen.

What was this? Billi could not believe his eyes. Suddenly, his luck seemed to be getting better. There, hidden across another marsh stream and wet sand, in a patch of rocks and grass, seemed to be a nesting lapwing. Okay, Billi thought. The jungle bush quail may disappear, reappear and disappear, while the sparrows may fly up into the trees, but a nest cannot get up and walk away. The eggs cannot disappear or fly away, even if the lapwing would. He could at least get to eat one or two or three eggs of the nesting lapwing even if he failed to catch the bird. A feast of two or three lapwing eggs may be the right nutrition that he needed, Billi thought.

Billi crouched and crawled to get to a good spot to quietly watch and assess the situation. Bulbul, from his perch on the low branch, realised that something was happening again. There was Billi crouching and crawling once again. Darzi also took a quick look and whispered angrily to Bulbul to stay quiet. Bulbul could not see Teetiri sitting as though she was at a nest, fulfilling her role as a leader of the birds of the grassland. She had decided to take on the most important part of the plan on to herself. Bulbul could only see that Billi was now looking at some unseen bird or some other unseen prey towards the high ridge line that marked the limits of the marsh.

Billi wanted to be very very certain this time around. His luck certainly seemed to have changed now, he thought to himself. The black drongos were behind him, chattering away among them. The sparrows were as yet at the other tree, gossiping very loudly. The mynas were away in the grassland. That irritating and smiling Bulbul continued to sit where he was, accompanied by Darzi. Wonder what that was all about, thought Billi once again to himself. All situations seemed to be in his favour. The lapwing seemed to be up on an incline from where he was hiding. Again, that would also work out to his favour. The lapwing kept lowering its head and raising it, warily, looking around very carefully. 

Teetiri protects the grassland - 56 - Teetiri is almost given away

56
Teetiri is almost given away

Yes, yes, yes, Billi said to himself, happily, this was certainly a nesting lapwing. He was in for a good meal. He went forward, deciding to plan the attack path by going up the incline in a crouch, along the marsh water stream that flowed by.  The sound of the marsh waters, a very low gurgling sort of sound, would hide any sounds that he may make by accident. He did not want to alert the lapwing. Billi looked back once again, to try and spot the three black drongos. Yes, they continued to be at the babool trees, chattering away. The mynas and the sparrows continued to be where they were.

It was Darzi who almost gave away the plan at that moment. He spotted Teetiri when she raised her head to look around. Getting excited at spotting her, Darzi left her guard duty over Bulbul and flew to a higher branch to be able to see properly. Realising that Darzi had seen something that he had not seen, Bulbul shifted his perch to a higher one. Almost immediately, Bulbul spotted Teetiri at the edge of the ridge. She seemed to be sitting down, hiding, and raising her head now and then to look around. What was she doing there, all alone? Bulbul whispered to Darzi, who continued to keep silent. Bulbul looked around very fast, trying to see if he could understand this part of the plan. 

The three drongos were at their previous spots, while the sparrows and mynas were still moving around. Billi and Teetiri seemed to be the only two living beings that he could see in the marsh near the high ridge. So who was out there to warn Teetiri? Bulbul wondered. Billi, in the meantime, kept crawling up the very gentle slope, through the grasses, keeping a bunch of rocks between him and Teetiri. He was now within two feet of Teetiri, keeping himself hidden behind a small pile of rocks. He stayed very still, and looked around very carefully. He could not see anybody, but could hear the three drongos chattering, the mynas and sparrows gossiping. He was convinced that Bulbul was not dangerous. He went in a very silent crouch, pushing aside the grasses very quietly, waiting, crouching, waiting and crouching. He did not want to do the same mistake that he had done with Bater and Chimini. 

Teetiri protects the grassland - 57 - Kotwal comes to Teetiri's help

57

Kotwal comes to Teetiri’s help

At the very moment, Bulbul saw Kotwal, perched on a very high branch of a mango tree that was hanging over the high ridge. How did Kotwal come here? Was he not sitting back at the edge of the marsh, along with his father and sister? Bulbul looked behind, and, yes, there certainly were three black drongos out there. Chattering. But, none of them were Kotwal, Teetiri’s friend. Kotwal certainly could not leave Teetiri alone to face Billi at the last stage of the plan. So, Teetiri had repeated the trick she played with Bater and the jungle bush quail, by fooling Billi to think that Kotwal had stayed behind. Kotwal had actually flown ahead and hidden himself at the mango tree that rose over the ridge.

Bulbul had not seen Phoolchuki, hiding herself, amongst the low grass clumps, staying very close to Billi. Phoolchuki kept herself within the sight range of Kotwal, while Billi could not spot the black drongo. Teetiri continued to sit at the high ridge line, allowing Billi to approach closer. Billi could not realise that he was almost at the high ridge line. He could only see the leaves of various bushes that grew along the high ridge line. Billi knew that he was now within attack distance. The lapwing seemed so unaware, Billi thought. In the grass clumps nearby, Phoolchuki was ready to give the signal to Kotwal. Her instructions were to signal Kotwal the moment that Billi began to crouch for the final leap.

Billi moved ahead some more and got in for the final crouch before the leap. Phoolchuki noticed the tensing of Billi’s muscles and flew up quietly to signal to Kotwal. Billi moved further, very very quietly. Kotwal, on seeing Phoolchuki flying up, behind Billi, came out of hiding from among the tree’s branches and moved to the highest branch. Billi did not notice Kotwal’s presence. He was absolutely focussed upon Teetiri who seemed very relaxed, totally unaware of the danger to come at that moment. This was the moment, Billi thought and jumped. At the very moment, Kotwal whistled from his perch, and Teetiri flew up in the air. Billi jumped and jumped and found that there was certainly something very different and very wrong about this jump.