160 NATURAL HISTORY. 



Mahim waters, but I believe failed. Two drifted fragments of skulls 

 (from the Alibag Reefs) are in the Society's Museum. They appear 

 to belong to different species. 



Probably with a suitable steam-launch, and a combination of the 

 rifle and harpoon, some very good sport could be had out of the " Sea- 

 donkeys," which are extremdy numerous and not very shy. This 

 has been tried with success in the English Channel. The sportsmen 

 referred to above used canoes ; and I have tried to shoot them from 

 a sailing boat, and (of course) believe I hit them. But I never bagged 

 one. Of the Sirenia, sometimes called herbivorous cetaceans, Ha.li- 

 core dugong may occur, as it has been reported from Canara ; but 

 our basaltic coasts are not rich enough in seaweed to feed it, so its 

 appearance here is unlikely. It is sometimes called a " Seal ;" but 

 true Seals are seldom or never found between the tropics. 



Of birds we have all those mentioned as found in the Deccan, and 

 others more appropriate. 



The chief of the marine raptores here is the Grey-backed 

 Sea-eagle, called in Maratha " Khakan" (Halicetus lencogaster). 

 This bird is very common on the coast and creeks, and breeds here 

 and there on trees. Sea-snakes seem to be the chief of his diet ; but he 

 catches a good many fish too, and is said to rob the Osprey of his 

 plunder. This 1 have not seen myself, though the Osprey too is 

 common here, both on the salt and fresh waters, nor have I seen 

 the Sea-eagle touch carrion or strike birds. He does not resort here 

 to the fresh waters ; but the Osprey is seen on rivers and tanks as 

 often as on the shore. The Brahminy Kite fishes a good deal on the 

 surface of the fresh waters and creeks, seldom " out of harbour," 

 and picks up carrion and Crustacea on the shore ; and the Paria Kite 

 (Milvus govinda) frequents harbours. 



Some naturalists believe in a " large Paria Kite" (Milvus major') ; 

 and Mr. Hume has recorded specimens from the dunes of Upper 

 Sind and Bombay Harbour " which entitles him to a place here. To 

 my own knowledge, there is in the forests of the Konkan a Kite 

 answering to the description ; but whether he be really a separate 

 species, or merely an aristocrat among " Paria " Kites, I don't 

 pretend to say. The superior size and gentlemanly appearance of 

 this bird, both on the wing and in hand, are very marked. The 

 so-called lt Blue Kite," or Harrier (Circus swai7isoni), and Marsh 

 Harrier (Circus aeruginotus), the White-eyed Buzzard (Bulastur 

 teesa), and probably the Long -logged Buzzard (Buteo ferox\ hunt 



