A LIST UI BIRDS FOUND IN THE SIMLA HILLS. 617 



very few occasions. Probably it becomes less rare nearer the 

 plains. 

 1208. The Booted Eagle — Hieraetus pennatus, Gmel. 



A single specimen was observed during Sept. 1918. Elevation 

 10,000 feet. 

 1210. The Black Eagle — Ictinaetus malayensis, Reinw. 



Excessively rare. Only observed on one occasion, June 1917. 

 It was then beating slowly over forest, pursued and buffetted by 

 all the Drougos in the vicinity. Elevation 7,000 feet. 

 1213. Hodgson's Hawk-Eagle — Spizaetus nepaknsis, Hodgson. 



Not uncommon. Usually seen hunting in pairs over dense 

 forest, or seated on trees commanding a good aspect of the 

 surrounding jungle. Breeds in February and March, both on 

 clifl's and large trees. Eggs one or two. 



1216. The Short-toed Eagle — Circaetus gallicus, Gmel. 



One observed hovering over the bare hill- side at Kufri, while 

 I was watching it through my glasses two Hobbies and a Kestrel 

 repeatedly stooped at it. Elevation 8,000 feet. 



1217. The Crested Serpent-Eagle — Spilornis cheela, Latham. 



A few pairs breed in well-wooded and well-watered nullahs 

 round Simla. Lays about the end of March and beginning of 

 April. Breeds up to 6,500 feet. 

 1223. Pallas's Fishing-Eagle — Haliaetus leiicoryplius, Pall. 



I was surprised at seeing a specimen of this Eagle soaring 

 above the hills between Theog and Mattiana. Elevation 8,000 

 feet. 



1228. The Brahminy Kite — Ualiasiur indus, Bodd. 



One or two are to be seen every year about the Ashni River, a 

 few miles below Simla Elevation. 5,000 feet. 



1229. The Common Pariah Kite — Milvus govinda, Sykes. 



Abundant in the immediate vicinity of Simla up to 8,000 feet 

 of elevation. Breeds March to June. 

 Ii32 The Black-winged \^\te—Elanus ccsruleus, Desf . 



Only observed on one occasion, September 1912, at an eleva- 

 tion of 4,500 feet. 

 1235. The Hen-Harrier — Circus cyaneus, Linn. 



Appears in October in fair numbers. Usually seen quarter- 

 ing the open hill-sides. Departs in March. 

 1237. The Marsh Harrier — Circus aruginosus, Linn. 



Seen only on one occasion, May 1918. Elevation 8,500 feet. 

 1239, The Long-legged Buzzard — Buteo ferox, S. G, Gmel. 



Fairly abundant in the winter months. Usually commenc- 

 ing to appear in October, leaving in March. 

 1244. The Shikra — Astur hadius, Gmel. 



Uncommon ; one or two are seen each season. Dodsworth 

 shot one at 6,700 feet of elevation. 

 1247. The Sparrow-Hawk— ^cciptVer WiSMtf, Linn. 



During migration Sparrow-Hawks are not uncommon but as a 

 breeding species must be accounted rare here. I have only 

 found two nests. One contained three very hard-set eggs, the 

 other three nearly fledged young ones. I shot the male bird 

 from the first and it appears to agree well with Blanford's 

 description of this species in the " Fauna " B. I. Vol. Ill, 

 page 402. Another male I have, also appears to agree with 

 Blanford's description, but Mr. C. H. Donald, to whom I showed 

 these two skins, considers them very dark on the upper plumage 



