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 - 13 - Teetiri goes to hunt for red crabs

13

Teetiri goes to hunt for red crabs

Teetiri returned to the marshy water-patch near the rocks. There would be good food to be eaten here. The small red crabs could be found among these grasses and rocks. These brilliant-red coloured animals kept running sideways when disturbed and would dig themselves into the sand thinking that they could not be spotted. But the wet marshy soil and undisturbed sand surface always betrayed them. The footprints of the small red crabs were left on the wet marshy soil and led the birds directly to the spots where they had dug themselves in. The lapwings and other wading birds followed these tracks as they could thus easily identify the presence of the red crabs and pull them out of their hiding spots and eat them up. The deeper water patches in the marsh allowed some hiding places for Teetiri to hide in if Shaheen or Shikra, came hunting in the grassland.

The marshy water-patch was also a favourite hunting place for other wading birds.  Chimini and her family usually frequented it. Salonki and her large numbers of brothers and sisters as also a number of frogs were to be usually seen there. Teetiri loved the songs of the frogs when the first monsoon came down over the grassland and the river. There would be thousands of red crabs that would be running all over the place without even any space for them to dig down to hide.

Teetiri would be joined by her entire family at that time to feed upon the red crabs. All her relatives, her parents, her brothers and sisters and Teetiraa’s relatives would be there at the marsh. Teetiraa’s cousins from across the river would also join them at that time. All of them knew of the marsh and the best place to visit it. They usually left it for Teetiri and Teetiraa for the rest of the year. There were other spots and other times when Teetiri and Teetiraa joined their cousins from across the river, like when the flying ants came out from the ground, or when the waters at the salt-water creek went down in summer exposing thousands of young fish trapped in the rocks.

There were no birds present at the marsh today. That was strange, thought Teetiri. Usually, there would be many birds at this time of the day. Was there something wrong? There did not seem anything like being totally wrong here. The red crabs were there. They were running around. The waters were very inviting.  The cool waters would be very welcome to rest in after the hot rocks that she had crawled through. The grass was not moving. Was there some predator out there at the marsh? Would she be able to spot the predator in time? Was it Mongoose or Lombdi, the wolf? Was it Naag? Hiding out there in the cool water? Frightened, Teetiri looked around for help. Who could tell her if there was something wrong in the marsh?

One of the red crabs came running towards her unaware of her presence. Instinctively she jabbed down with her beak. picked up the crab and swallowed it. Wow. That felt goooood. She needed to eat another. Already she would soon be due back at the nest to relieve Teetiraa. She walked hesitantly towards the marsh, worried. There! There was another one of the red crabs. She jumped two steps and rushed towards it and grabbed it just as it had begun to dig down. Her sudden movement among the stones had dislodged a dung beetle that had been busy rolling up some mud. She grabbed the dung beetle without thinking. The dung beetle did not taste as good as the red crab but it would have to do. She desperately needed that nutrition. She was going to go back and sit at that nest and she needed all the energy she could get. She could not complain now. Or, be choosy at the marsh when the very next moment a predator could easily jump up at her. 

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 - 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 - 17 - Salonki understands Teetiri’s plan

17

Salonki understands Teetiri’s plan

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

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

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

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

Teetiri protects the grassland - 18 - Salonki remembers the stranger from the village

18

Salonki remembers the stranger from the village

It was an animal that Salonki had seen only once before. Salonki had seen it inside the village. It was the time that she had accompanied her parents to the village. She and her brothers and sisters had left the nest and had begun to fly just a few days ago. Their parents had wanted to celebrate the fact that all their young ones had begun to fly with confidence, and her father had insisted that they go to the village. He had said that it would be his party. He would treat them to a wonderful feast.

At the edge of the village was a house that belonged to the rich sweet-merchant. Just a week before, a family of mice had successfully made a large hole in the roof of the sweet merchant’s house and had brought out some sweets to feed upon. This had been seen by a flock of mynas who had come to rest at that very moment on their evening flight back from the grassland towards their night roosting trees. Some of those mynas had gone boldly inside the sweet merchant’s house through the large hole to feed upon the uncovered sweets.

They had come back to their night roosting perches in the Peepul tree in the village and had sat drunk after having eaten too much sweets and drunk too much sugar syrup. They seemed so happy and so content throughout the night. Salonki’s father had decided to take his wife and children inside the sweet merchant’s house.  That day Salonki’s family had enjoyed themselves. They had perched on the roof and gone inside the shop, one by one, and fed upon the nice golden yellow coloured sweets. They had been very tasty. They had also eaten the dark brown coloured ones floating on sugar syrup. That syrup had been very intoxicating.

After having eaten more than they could, the family had flown out of the shop and was resting on the roof. They could hardly move off from the roof. A nearby banyan tree had its branches spread over the roof and offered them very welcome shade from the noon sun. The family had decided to take a quick nap under the shade offered by the banyan tree. They had been resting peacefully that day. Salonki could still remember her father and mother smiling very proudly at him and his brothers and sisters. Salonki could remember the day like it was yesterday.

Suddenly, out of the banyan branches, a brownish yellow animal had jumped on to the roof and picked up one of Salonki’s brothers and ran away. They had hardly realised that something was wrong. By the very next instant that they had realised that a member of their family had been taken by this brown-yellow animal, it had disappeared from sight. They had flown up in panic, and gone towards a corner of the village where they could hear some crows cawing excitedly. There, half hidden under an unyoked bullock cart, was the brownish yellow animal, sitting quietly, hissing at the myna family and the crows. There had been no sight of Salonki's brother. 

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

19

Salonki’s father spoke to Kaawla Chacha

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Teetiri needed the marsh to be safe

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Salonki goes to meet Guturgu

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

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

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

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

Teetiri protects the grassland - 22 - Need a common plan

22

Need a common plan

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

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

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

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

Teetiri protects the grassland - 23 - Bade Miya and Chote Miya

23

Bade Miya and Chote Miya

While all the birds were waiting, Salonki had flown straight to the village. She had not stopped anywhere in the grassland. She had indeed felt extremely tempted when she saw Chimini and her cousins alighting on some foodgrain bullock carts that were returning to the village. She controlled herself, remembering Kotwal and Teetiri’s strict instructions. She had to meet Guturgu as fast as possible, seek his advice and return to the grassland. Teetiri and Kotwal would be waiting for her.

She could see some of blue-rock pigeons, Guturgu’s relatives, flying near the foodgrain sheds. Guturgu was sure to be sitting there. But what if he was not to be found there? She could not risk wasting time searching for Guturgu. She could not go around the entire village. What if Guturgu had gone to visit some other village? She needed information. Sure and reliable information to help her search for Guturgu. And she thought she knew where she could get some good information.

She had some very reliable and very strong friends. These were the oxen belonging to the groundnut farmer. He had his cropfields near the grassland. Salonki alighted at the farmer’s foodgrain shed. She knew his bullock cart, and had sat on the backs of the oxen that pulled it. She knew both the oxen and was friendly with them. Teetiri and Kotwal were also good friends of both the oxen. The three of them helped the oxen by picking off insects from their body. Actually only Salonki and Kotwal did that, by perching on the backs of the oxen. Teetiri stayed nearby, picking up the insects that got disturbed by the farmer’s plough  that was pulled by the oxen.

Salonki knew that she could safely sit near the oxen and talk to them about Teetiri and Kotwal. The oxen would not get angry at Salonki’s presence. Teetiri always preferred to follow the oxen when the farmer released them at the edge of his cropfield while he worked on the groundnut crop. They would not welcome Teetiri while they rested. Kotwal, perhaps, may be equally as welcome as Salonki. Kotwal was also friendly with the oxen, daring to perch on their backs. But it was Salonki that the oxen really trusted. They allowed her to perch even an inch away from their eyes. Salonki perched so dangerously in order to pick off the small insects from their ears and near their eyes.

The shorter, slimmer and younger ox was called Bade Miya (Big Man), while the taller, fatter and older one was called Chote Miya (Small Man). This seemed to be like a joke for the farmers, Salonki thought, for they always laughed when they called the oxen by their names. These oxen were a favourite with all the villagers because they always won prizes at the bullock-cart races. So, what brings you here to the village, so far away from your grassland, asked Bade Miya. Salonki hopped on to Chote Miya’s back, gestured to Bade Miya to have some patience, and took huge gasps of breath. She had flown very rapidly from the grassland in order to reach the village. Chote Miya was however not going to be patient. Yes, what brings you here to the village, my favourite tick-eater, Chote Miya asked Salonki. 

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

24

Salonki asks for Guturgu at the village

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

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

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

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

Teetiri protects the grassland - 25 - Salonki meets Guturgu

25

Salonki meets Guturgu

Salonki flew up to the roof of the nearest shed. There were about twenty blue-rock pigeons sitting there, cooing loudly, with two very vain male pigeons, rotating themselves in circles,  trying to impress the lady pigeons. It would be better to seek information from these pigeons rather than Bade Miya or Chote Miya, thought Salonki. The pigeons were present on about six to seven roofs of the grain sheds. A very audible humming noise could be heard once one landed amongst the pigeons. Salonki wondered whether they chatted with each other. Whether they gossipped with each other.  The pigeon flock seemed totally unlike Chimini and her cousins or Salonki' relatives when they gathered together. You could hear them throughout the grassland when they started talking.

The pigeons became strangely silent the moment Salonki landed on the shed's roof. The humming stopped, and the vain male pigeons stopped circling themselves, and stood warily, watching Salonki. It was then that Salonki realised that there were hardly any other birds within the pigeons on the roofs. Alarmed, she looked around at the nearby sheds. Again there were none, except if you included Kaawla's cousin, who was cawing above the sweet merchant's shop.

She wondered if the pigeons would attack her because she had come inside their space. But then, she remembered, pigeons did not attack mynas. So she must be safe. Was she, Salonki wondered. She asked the nearest pigeons about Guturgu. They did not answer.  She walked inside the flock, and asked the vain male pigeons about Guturgu. They kept silent. And suddenly, one of the female pigeons made an abrupt gesture of flapping her wings and jumping up and down on the roof, as though in alarm. Taken aback, Salonki stepped out of the flock's space on the shed's roof.

From up above among the clouds, flying about almost unseen, a young male pigeon, very proud of his ability to fly in tight circles for a long time, flew down rapidly like an arrow, and came to an abrupt halt, barely two inches from Salonki. He stood beak-to-beak, barely an eyeblink away from Salonki's eye, and asked, and who asks, may I know? Surprised, Salonki replied, I am Salonki, from the grassland. I have come to meet Guturgu. The answer did not seem to have satisfied the young male pigeon, for he did not move away from Salonki, and asked again, And why do you think Guturgu should talk to you? All the other pigeons seemed to step closer now, including the vain male pigeons who seemed to have been frightened earlier. 

Teetiri protects the grassland - 26 - Salonki is examined by the pigeons

26

Salonki is examined by the pigeons

The young male pigeon did not seem to want to step away. He continued in a questioning voice, for Guturgu does not talk to strangers. Especially those who come without prior invitation. Salonki, surprised at the hostility, took two steps back, and said, Hey, cut out this hostility, my friend. I am an old friend of Guturgu, probably even before you were born. So can you just shove back, or step aside, and just point me towards Guturgu. And go back to whatever you were doing, up there in the sky.

This was new to the young male pigeon. He was not used to being opposed. He had had been having a good time until now. All the other pigeons feared him. Nobody opposed him. There seemed to be silence among the flock of pigeons now. All the hmmmming and grmmming that was going on in the flock was gone. All sat quietly on the roof of the grain-shed. They were watching the young male pigeon and waiting for him to react. Perhaps he may throw Salonki from the roof, said one vain male pigeon to a disinterested plump aunt of his. It was not to be, however. The young male pigeon stepped back. Watching the retreat, slowly the pigeons made a path among them, for Salonki to walk through towards a broken window in the shed next to the roof.

Salonki walked worriedly, towards the broken window, wondering as to what was happening. The young male pigeon, humbled and quiet, followed her very closely. The three vain male pigeons accompanied him, hoping that the female pigeons would think highly of them as they did of the sky-diving young male pigeon. A shy young female pigeon walked alongside Salonki. She whispered that the sky-diving young male blue-rock pigeons were their guards, for they had decided to protect themselves from animals like Billi and Naag. They came up to the broken window and the shy young female pigeon called out in a very low voice.

The window was very dirty, with cobwebs and grime settled on the panes. There was just enough space between the broken panes and the window frame for one pigeon to squeeze inside. Any large animal like a dog or cat trying to squeeze itself through the opening would suffer cuts from the broken sharp edges of the window pane. Salonki stood outside the broken window and tried to peer inside. It was a clear drop and it seemed to be very dark inside. Even rats or mice could not enter through this opening. Only birds could squeeze through and fly to any particular perch that they wished to inside the shed.

Salonki could hear the low hmmmming and grmmmming of many pigeons inside the shed. There were probably more than fifty pigeons inside. What were they doing inside this shed? Salonki asked her companion. These are our nesting aunts and uncles, the shy young female pigeon said and added, they are sitting on eggs at the nests built on various perches inside the shed. We protect them by preventing unwanted strangers from coming near this open window. Any bird or animal or reptile, including the dangerous Naag, would have to first cross the thirty pigeons who are always present on the shed's roof. We stay on the roof throughout the night and day. The shade from the nearby neem tree protects us during the day. 

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

27

Guturgu – the leader of the pigeons

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

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

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

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

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

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

28

Guturgu gives advice to Salonki

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

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

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

Teetiri protects the grassland - 29 - Guturgu asks Salonki to return

29

Guturgu asks Salonki to return

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

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

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

---

 [bb1]Bater – Jungle Bush Quail.

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

30

Salonki returns to the grassland

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

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

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

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

Teetiri protects the grassland - 31 - Salonki tells the story about Guturgu

31

Salonki tells the story about Guturgu

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

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

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

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