Descriptive List of Birds 



Widely distributed, but not very common 

 anywhere. 



152. Spilornis cheela : The Crested Serpent- 

 Eagle. F. 1217, J. 39, +V. E. W. 



Black crest. Dark chocolate-brown plumage, 

 with white or cream bars on wings and tail. 

 Lower plumage spotted with large white 

 spots. 



Donald writes : " When soaring the wings 

 are held well back, but are broad in proportion 

 to his size, hence the tail does not project 

 very far beyond the tertiaries (end wing 

 feathers). This is a noisy bird and gives vent 

 to a shrill succession of whistles when on the 

 wing. Found on the lower hills amongst pine 

 and oak." 



This bird does not usually ascend much above 

 6000 feet but is occasionally seen at the various 

 hill stations. 



153. Haliaetus leucoryphus : Pallas's Fishing- 

 Eagle. F. 1223, J. 42, +V, nearly half as 

 big again as the Kite. E. W. K. 



Head, chin and throat white. A white 

 band across the tail about 3 inches from the tip. 

 Rest of plumage brown. The white band 

 across the tail is conspicuous, and Jerdon styles 

 this bird the " Ring-tailed Sea-Eagle." 

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