THE BIRDS OF INDIA. 209 



It is almost white, in fact, quite so, with the exception of 

 the quills of the wings or primaries, which are dusky 

 brown. The bill, face, and legs are yellow, but in the im- 

 mature subject the plumage is chocolate brown ; the 

 feathers of the neck and shoulders are tipped with grey, 

 and the bill and feet are dull brownish yellow. 



The full adult plumage is not attained until the bird is 

 about three years old. 



It is a powerful and graceful flyer, soaring at a consider- 

 able altitude wnthout any apparent exertion for hours 

 together. 



The nest is made on a rocky ledge, and the eggs, two or 

 three in number, are greyish white. 



THE PELICANS. 



Family — P elecanidce. 



Genus — Pe/ecanus. P. mitratus. 



Mitred Pelican. — There is no very marked difference 

 between this bird and the other members of the family to 

 which it belongs, as they all bear an unmistakable likeness 

 to each other, the points of difference being only those of 

 size (in which they do not vary much) and of colour, which 

 is white, with various minor spots and marks of grey or 

 black. 



THE DARTERS. 



Family — Plotidce. 



Genus — Plotiis. P. nielanogaster. 



Indian Darter, or Snake Bird. — This curious creature, 



o 



