Bird Activity and Seed Productivity in the Coral Tree, Eryrhrina indica

The activities of birds for their efficiency as pollinators in four coral trees in blossom in January 1985 were observed for four days. A pair of binoculars was used. Initially, the total Dumber of inflorescences in all the four trees was counted and that of the flowers estimated from a sample of 30 inflorescences; the mean ± SD: 67.5 ± 23.38. There were 384 inflorescences With 24,603 flowers. Later, the fruits and .eeds were counled physically. The number nf seeds produced was a mere 731, a poor 2.97%. Of the twelve species of birds that visited the flowers, Sturnus pagodarum was the commonest. Deliberate destrucfion of floral parts, inter and intraspecific competition among the visiting species and a probable cytogenetie factor are reckoned as the cause for the low fertility observed.