THE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUNJAB. 



65.- 



Measuremenis. 

 Habits etc. 



Length 28"; tail 11; wing 20"; tarsus 3-25"; mid- 

 toe without claw 1-75"; biU from gape 1'9"". 



This rare bird only appears to have been obtained 

 about half a dozen times altogether in this country, 

 at high elevations, in Sikhim, Nepal and Kulu. 



The only thing known of its nidification i s a note in 

 the Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 

 Vol XIX page 523, by Lieut. Bailey who foimd it 

 near Gyantse, Thibet, in September 1908. 



Mr. Bailey says that this bird feeds on hares and 

 snow cock, which were very plentiful in the vicinity 

 of the nest, and also states that it is said to do 

 damage among the flocks by killing young lambs. 



This being the case the Rough-legged Buzzards must 

 be a very different bird to his very near connections, 

 which are much more common in the Punjab, viz.: — 

 the Long-legged and the Common Buzzards, which are 

 quite content to exist on rats, lizards, frogs, etc. 



I have never seen this bird, to my knowledge, so 

 cannot describe his flight, but since he resembles the 

 members of the genus " Buteo " in other respects, 

 his flight is probably similar, yet the fact of his being 

 able to kiU the Snow-cock, shows that he has a 

 considerable turn of speed as well as strength and 

 courage, far surpassing the other buzzards. 



X0'6IC>|^ 



