THE BIRDS Oi PREY OF THE PUNJAB. 



639 



or the tawny, both by the length of tarsus and the dark 

 edged feathers with paler centres, which gives a streaky 

 appearance, on the breast and abdomen, which is 

 lacking in the others. 



Like most of the true eagles, except the Golden, he 

 lives a great deal on carrion and is a constant attendant 

 on slaughter houses. 



The nest is said to be the usual platform of sticks 

 placed on a tree. Usually two eggs are laid, unspotted 

 greyish white or pure white, measuring ."} ))y 2 "2, 

 Indian examples 2-7 by 2 '09. 



Type D. 

 Family FALC0NIDJ5;. 

 Sub-family FALCONIN.-S. 



Genus Aquila. 



No. 1202. Aquila bifasciaki, The Steppe Eagle. 



(Jharacieristics. Xostril eliptical, higher than broad ; tarsus 4" 



hind claw without toe 2". 



Colouration. 



Measurements, 

 Habits, etc. 



Very variable. In some specimens the whole bii'd 

 is deep brown and in others a very light j)ale brown ; 

 often a rufous patch on the nape, which varies in size. 

 The back, quills and tail veiy dark brownish -black, 

 the latter with traces of greyish bands or cross bars. 



Usually there are variations of the above, such as 

 lighter coloiu'ed mottling on the quills, and buff tail 

 coverts. 



Younger birds are paler, some being very pale buff 

 but more often a soft umber- brown, without the nape 

 patch. There are almost always two whitish bars on 

 the wing, faint in some, very distinct in others, due 

 to the white tips to the secondaries and the greater 

 wing coverts being pale tipped. 



These bars are visible both above and below, as the 

 inider wing coverts are also pale tipped, and are a cons- 

 picuous feature of this bird. 



The quills are more or less mottled and barred. In 

 some the tail coverts are light buff whereas in others 

 they are deep brown. 



The tail is usually narrowly tipped with white or 

 l^uff and the rest of the feathers either brown through- 

 out (except the tip) or mottled grey, or white, and 

 forming cross bars. 



Bill and claws black ; gape, cere and feet yellow ; 

 irides dark brown, sometimes lighter and veiy clear. 

 Length 30 to 32"; tail 11 J"; wing 22"; tarsus 4". 

 The Steppe Eagle is a cold weather visitor to India 

 and dm-ing the winter one of the commonest of birds 

 of prey, both in the hills and plains. Though the claw 

 of this species is about the same size as that of the 

 Imperial, the foot is smaller and weaker. Blanford 

 says that the nest of this species has never been found 



