THE BIRDS OF TRAVANCORE. 669 



(209) Pseudogyps bbngalensis — Tho Indian White-backed 



Vulture. 

 Blanford, No. 1196 ; Jerdon, No. 5. 

 This is the only vulture that is common in Travancore, where it may 

 be found both in the low country and on the hills. 



" Breeds in colonies, building its nest, a huge pile of sticks, in trees, 

 and often at no great height from the ground. A colony of these birds 

 used to build regularly every year in a bit of forest adjoining Oliver's 

 estate in the Ashamboo hills in South Travancore, but since the forest 

 has been cleared for Goffee they have entirely deserted it. The breeding- 

 season in Travancore is from February to April.' — T. F. B." 



(210) Neophron ginginianus. — The Smaller White Scavenger 



Vulture. 

 Blanford, No. 1197 : Jerdon, No. 6. 

 I have only met with this bird in the dry district in the extreme south 

 where it is common about Nagercoil. 



Family Falconhle. 

 Sub-family Falconince. 

 (211) Hier.etus pennatus. — The Booted Eagle. 

 Blanford, No. 1208 ; Jerdon, No. 31. 

 An occasional winter visitor. The Museum possesses only one 

 specimen, shot in Trevandrum in February. 



(212) Lophotriorchis kienerl — The Rufous-bellied Hawk Eagle. 



Blanford, No. 1209 ; Jerdon, No. 37. 

 A rare bird. Mr. F. W. Bourdillon had one given to him by a friend 

 who shot it at an elevation of 2,200 feet while in the act of swooping at 

 a chicken. Mr. Bourdillon further says: — "Not long after obtaining 

 this specimen an eagle flew past me, while I was riding, which, from its 

 deep chestnut-coloured belly, I have no doubt belonged to this same 

 species." 



I shot one at the foot of the hills in South Travancore in April 1901. 

 (213) Ictin^tus malayensis. — The Black Eagle. 

 Blanford, No. 1210 ; Jerdon, No. 32. 

 A fairly common bird and resident. It may be seen soaring just 

 above the tops of the trees from 500 feet elevation upwards through- 

 out the hills extending to the High Range. " Breeds on cliffs at eleva- 

 tion of 2,000 feet and upwards. I once found the nest of these birds on 

 the ledge of a cliff of no very great height, but the nest was in such a 



