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

2

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

Teetiraa wonders why he gets to sit under the hot Sun

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

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

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

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

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

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

8

Dominga and Domingi’s eggs change colour

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

Dominga - the male magpie robin kept arguing with Domingi

[Photograph - Dr. Tejinder Singh Rawal]

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

Domingi - the female Magpie Robin was very upset

Dominga had kept fighting with her about the missing egg

[Photograph - Dr. Tejinder Singh Rawal]

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

Teetiri protects the grassland - 9 - Dominga searches for Darzi

9

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 - 10 - Darzi does not like to be disturbed

10

Darzi does not like to be disturbed

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

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

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

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

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

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

11

Darzi says that Kokila was responsible

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

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

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

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

Teetiri protects the grassland - 12 - Dominga is fooled by Darzi and returns to Domingi

12

Dominga is fooled by Darzi and returns to Domingi

Phoolchuki, Teetiri and Darzi returned to talk to Dominga. It was Darzi who spoke first. He told Dominga that it was not an unknown thing for eggs to change colour while at the nest. It must have been Dominga’s mistake. Did he, did he, did he, did he ever, ever, ever, ever, feed one of those red and black coloured caterpillars to Domingi before the eggs were laid? Dominga was taken aback. Was it his mistake? Did he give one of those red and black coloured caterpillars to Domingi? He thought very hard. But Darzi did not give him time to think. He kept talking. Dominga must have, must have, must have, must have, fed one of those stick-like grasshoppers then. If not the red and black caterpillars or the stick-like grasshoppers, then he must have, must have, must have, must have given one of those glowing worms that shone brilliantly at night. Dominga nodded hesitantly. Yes. He had once caught one of those glowing worms.

But those glowing worms were certainly not shining once he had caught them, said Dominga. But, it may also have been one of those stick-like grasshoppers. He had once caught a young one. He stopped to think back. Darzi looked at Phoolchuki and winked. Now they had him. Darzi began to talk very fast again. Yes yes yes yes. That must be, must be, must be, must be it. He must have given one of the glow-worms or the stick-like grasshoppers to Domingi.  Did you know that could change the egg-colour? It was his entire fault. Did he, did he, did he, did he, did he scold Domingi for his mistake? Did he, did he, did he, did he? Darzi kept asking. He did not want to give any time for Dominga to realise that he may be wrong or that he was being fooled. And suddenly, Darzi flew away to the babool tree, and back to Darzeee at her nest.

Darzi was happy that he had completed two tasks. First, he had helped Domingi protect her eggs. Second, he had fooled Dominga. He had wanted to do that for a long long time. Dominga had always been a very proud songster, singing from the highest branch, or from some of those new electric cables and wireposts that had been lined up along the edge of the grassland. Those electric cables gave off a loud buzzing noise sometimes. Most birds did not go near them. Darzi was always content to sing from within the branches of trees or bushes, and usually sang to tell Darzeee or other tailor birds that he was nearby. But Dominga was a proud bird. He kept singing just to show off, Darzi was convinced.

Meanwhile, back at the ber bush, Phoolchuki told Dominga to begin smiling, stop his sad look and get back to Domingi back as soon as possible. Dominga looked at Teetiri and asked her as to what she thought. Teetiri also smiled and asked Dominga that he should certainly get back to Domingi right away. She must be starving at the nest. He should go and apologise. Phoolchuki would go with him and make sure that he did apologise. Otherwise Teetiri would tell all the other lapwings to spread the message that Dominga had been a very very bad bird. Then nobody would protect him.

Domingi - the female Magpie Robin knew that

Dominga would return to her after his anger would go off.

[Photograph - Govinda Swami]

Each time a Shaheen, the falcon, would come hunting for small birds near the tall tamarind tree, some bird or the other would point out Dominga’s location to be hunted. Or, it could be more dangerous, if the tailor birds sounded their alarm to identify Dominga’s hiding place to Shikra, the sparrow hawk, known to all the birds as the silent killer, who flew in between the branches of the trees and bushes. Frightened and completely humbled, Dominga flew back to Domingi with Phoolchuki at his side. Both Shaheen and Shikra were the most feared hunting birds in the grassland, riverside trees, in the orchard, and in the village nearby. Most birds usually helped each other to know that these hunters were nearby. 

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 - 15 - Teetiri asks Salonki for help

15

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 - 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 - 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 - 39 - Bater travels across the grassland

39

Bater travels across the grassland

Having got Bater to agree to the plan, Salonki went about gathering all the mynas and asked them to also fly back to the babool tree near the marsh. Kotwal asked Phoolchuki, Dominga, Darzi and Salonki to return with him, flying directly above Bater, so that they would be sure of the safety of the jungle bush quail. Soon there was this large movement of birds flying about in the grassland, with more than a hundred mynas returning to the babool tree. Dominga, Phoolchuki, Darzi, and Salonki also flew back to the edge of the marsh, along with Kotwal. Salonki flew down to Bater and asked the jungle bush quail to stop a little distance away from the marsh. Kotwal and Phoolchuki flew down to meet Teetiri.

Teetiri was waiting for them at the lone babool stem. Teetiraa had gone to take over at the nest.  Teetiri did not know what was happening since Salonki had left for the village. Kotwal explained the situation to her, right from Salonki’s meetings with Bade Miya, Chote Miya and Guturgu, to the search for Bater and the help from all the drongos. Kotwal also spoke about how Salonki and her cousins took over the grassland, made it impossible for predators and non-predators to live peacefully in the habitat. Teetiri smiled at that, because she had noticed the movement of mynas and drongos from her nest. She had wondered as to what was happening, but she could not leave her nest. Kotwal then spoke about Bater, his fears, and of how the drongos and mynas provided air cover to the jungle bush quail’s rapid run across the grassland.

But what was to be done about Bater? Salonki asked. We searched for Bater, merely because Guturgu asked us to, Teetiri replied,  but we were not told about what Bater has to do against Billi. What can Bater or the other jungle bush quail do against larger, much larger, and dangerous cats? Can Bater go and frighten Billi off the marsh? He was frightened to cross the grassland. Phoolchuki also added her own question, Yes, how can Bater fight Billi? Darzi and Bulbul nodded their beaks in agreement to Phoolchuki’s question. Salonki seemed to get very agitated that everybody agreed with her about Bater’s uselessness at this time of crisis in the grassland. And Bater was the only option that they seemed to have.

Yes, yes, Bater is such a frightened and panicky bird, Kotwal said. And very good at asking questions. He kept on asking me questions. He may be timid, secretive and looks like he is very frightened. But he is very courageous in protecting himself. He knows how to protect his family and does that no matter what, Kotwal added. That is all very good, but how can Bater fight Billi, Darzi asked. A worried Teetiri asked Salonki if Guturgu had given any indication of what Bater has to do in this fight? Salonki merely shook her head sideways. Guturgu said that we should solve our problems ourselves, we should act together, we should be united, the grassland belongs to all the birds and something about being able to fight together, etcetra etcetra, Salonki said. But he did not explain what Bater could do about it. We are supposed to think it out ourselves, perhaps. 

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 - 43 - How could Bater fight Billi?

43

How could Bater fight Billi?

But, Guturgu was a wise bird. He knew what he was talking about. He must have thought about it and must have felt that this was the best option. But, why did Guturgu choose the most frightened bird? Would not Bater get frightened when he actually stood in front of Billi? The mere sight of Billi in the grassland had left Salonki thinking about all her sad memories. And what would she do in the plan? How, how, how, how, how could Bater fight Billi?

Bater most certainly would not go anywhere without his family, thought Teetiri. So Bater’s family would also need to be included in the plan. Whatever plan it was, it now included Bater, all the jungle bush quail and Teetiri. There had to be a solution somewhere. She could include Salonki and her cousins, Kotwal and his family, perhaps Dominga and Darzi. Not Bulbul certainly. He could not hide any secret. Also Chimini. She could not be trusted with secrets. But the plan had to revolve around Bater. And she had to be seen to lead it. She could not hide somewhere and send Bater into the marshy waters to fight Billi. What to do, whattodo, whattodowhattodo, thought Teetiri to herself.

She looked at Bater and his family, again and again. Just look at them, standing there, like an easy target, so naïve looking, so identical, thought Teetiri. Who was that jungle bush quail wandering about, seemingly more confident than the others? Was that not Bater’s son? Now the jungle bush quail were no longer standing in a circle. They seemed to have got over their fright and were moving about within the circle of all the birds gathered there. Perhaps Bater’s son could be sent in to fight Billi. He seemed more courageous than Bater himself. But which one was Bater’s son? They looked all the same, exactly identical. They also seemed equally frightened. And suddenly, Teetiri realised that was the answer. That, that, THAT, THAT, THAT was the answer, Teetiri thought excitedly. Definitely. What an idea. She jumped up and down, flapped her wings, and began to laugh at the simple idea that she had got. Guturgu was smart.

The other birds looked at her in a puzzled manner. Had she gone mad, Darzi wondered. Bater was getting more and more frightened. Teetiri, my friend, have you gone crazy, asked Kotwal? No, no, Teetiri replied, and added, I have only now begun to understand what Guturgu must have wanted us to do. Look at Bater and his family, Teetiri continued to explain to the other birds, they are always looking so frightened. But inspite of their fears, they have agreed to help us. They do not even know what they are getting into. But they are ready to help. They are ready to help, just because we need their help and because they love their grassland. And here we are, each one of us, skilled in one way or the other, experts in fighting Naag and Dhaman, experts in fooling Lombdi and Shikra, and now we are frightened of one single Billi. But it is Bater’s fright and nervousness that will be our best weapon to fight Billi, said Teetiri.