BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUNJAB. 



Fig. 1 — Represents a Buzzard flying directly overhead. 



Characteristics. 



Wings ample, rounded and regular, i. e., almost in a straight 

 line from the body to the tip of first primary. Usually held slightly 

 upwards and above the level of the back, though this is by no means 

 so constant a feature of the Buzzards as that of other species already 

 dealt with. The tertiaries curve into the body forming a slight 

 triangle with the base of the tail. There is always a light patch on 

 the wing, at the base of the primaries, which is visible both above 

 and below and is a characteristic of all species of Buzzards and of 

 every phase of plumage, to a greater or lesser degree. 



The tail is medium, neither long nor short and frequently spread 

 out, when the bird is soaring. 



Colouring is no criterion and may vary from a deep chocolate 

 brown throughout, to very light bufl" on head and body, and light 

 brown wings. In the former phase, however, the wing patch is 

 white and very distinct, as also white barring on the tail. In the 

 latter, the wing patch may not be very distinct but is always visible, 

 and the tail, especially above, is almost sure to be some shade of 

 reddish brown. 



Fig. 2 — Represents a Kite flying directly overhead. 



Characteristics. 



"Wings long and more often curved than straight. If curved, 

 as in the illustration, the ends are pointed, but if held straight they 

 will be rounded, but not so much as in the Buzzards, and during the 

 later summer months, individuals will be seen with very pointed 

 wings. This is due to irregular moulting and the uneven growth of 

 the primary feathers. The characteristic flight of the Kite, as seen 

 round stations, is usually with curved wings as shown in the illus- 

 tration, as though preparing to stoop. The white wing patch is 

 generally the sign manual of Milvus melanotis, but govinda is occa- 

 sionally similarly adorned, to a somewhat lesser extent. 



The tip of the primaries, especially when the wings are curved, 

 are usually beloio the plane of the body. 



Tail long and/orA-e^. This characteristic of all Kites makes 

 them unmistakable for anything else, and is noticeable both when 

 the bird is sitting or flying. 



Fig. 3— Represents a Black-winged Kite flying directly overhead. 



Characteristics. 



Wings long and pointed. The front portion, together with 

 head, body and tail white, the margins of the open wing, through- 

 out, black. The upper portion of the body is black and dark grey. 



The slight washing of brown on the breast of young specimens 

 is not visible, except at very close quarters, so the whole of the 

 under-surface of the body appears to be pure white. 



Tail medium, usually compressed and appears very narrow. 



This bird is also unmistakable for anything else on account of 

 its size and curious colour, the latter resembles some of the male 

 Harriers and Neophron. Does not very often soar. Hovers a great 

 deal with slow deliberate beats of the wings. 



