THE BIRDS OF PREY OF THE PUIS JAB. 



831 



No. 1231. Milvus migrans. The Black Kite. 



Very similar to govinda but distinguished from 

 that species by having " the edges of the feathers on 

 the crown and nape whitish instead of light brown 

 or rufous, and by the more distinctly ferruginous 

 colour of tlie abdomen." It is also smaller, a female 

 measuring about 23" in length and a male smaller 

 still. 



Lt.-Col. T. E. Marshall records finding the nest 

 of this species round Quetta (Vol. XV, p. 352 of the 

 Journal of the B. N. H. Soc.) 



There is no record of this species having been 

 found in the Punjab. 



Genus Haliastur. 

 No. 1228. Haliastur indus. The Brahminy Kite. 



Characteristics. 



Colouration. 



Measurements, 



Habits, etc. 



Size medium ; tail rounded ; tarsus about 2" ; wings 

 long and exceeding the tail. Colour in adults chest- 

 nut brown above and white below. 



Very distinctive in the adult. The whole head 

 neck, sides of the head, and practically the whole 

 of the underparts, down to the middle of the 

 abdomen white, with dark shaft-stripes. Practically 

 the whole of the upper surface, except head 

 and neck, chestnut or deep chestnut brown. Tail 

 chestnut,except the end which is whitish. Prima- 

 ries blackish. 



The young bird is very kite-like except that 

 the whole plumage is somewhat lighter than that of 

 the average kite, and with more rufous-brown on 

 the lower parts. A later phase shows some white 

 on the upper surface and the rufous is a little more 

 pronounced, and the general colouring some- 

 what lighter than in the first stage. 



"Bill bhiish horn; cere yellowish; iris brown; 

 legs and feet greenish-yellow." 



" Length of female about 19" ; tail 8-5" ; wing 15" ; 

 tarsus 2" ; mid-toe without claw r4". Males a very 

 little less." (Blanford.) Expanse about 4'-9" to 5''. 

 A very familiar feature of most tanks, canals, 

 jheels and in fact wherever there is a little water, 

 though it is frequently found in other localities as 

 well. 



Most commonly met with, in the Punjab, just 

 before and during the monsoons, when, presumably, 

 there are a greater number to be seen in the dis- 

 tinctive dress of the adult. It soars well but does not 

 usually attain to any great height, and is more 

 given to sitting on trees, or the ground, overlooking 

 a pool of water. It lives chiefly on frogs, lizards, rats, 

 insects and is a past master at taking grasshoppers 

 ofl' the stems of growing rice. This species may 

 often be seen sailing over rice fields and swooping 

 suddenly and apparently just touching the stalk of 

 a plant in its flight and going on without the smallest 

 check. If watched, it will be seen to bend its head 



