to ' The Birds of India.' 23!) 



others with the spots few, smaller, aud distant. The males are, 

 I think, as a rule less numerously spotted than females, and 

 have the head and neck paler. 



The measurements given in the ' Birds of India' are copied 

 from various authors, aud are necessarily imperfect. A fine 

 male that died whilst being trained was \9\ inches long, the 

 wing 13|, tail 8, mid toe with claw 1|. A female was 23 

 inches long, expanse 49, wing 15|, tail 9, tarsus 2, mid toe 

 with claw 2|. Weight 2 lb. 2 oz. 



The Cherrug Falcon visits the Punjab and neighbouring pro- 

 vinces on this side of the Sutlej in considerable numbers in the 

 cold weather, and is still mox*e numerous and common all along 

 the northern and western frontier. Many are caught annually 

 in the Punjab, near Lahore and Umritsir, and also about Feroze- 

 pore and the desert country east of the Sutlej. Near Sirsa I 

 have seen five or six in one morning's ride ; and one or two came 

 regularly to roost on a tree close by the traveller's bungalow 

 there. I never saw it in Kashmir, and I do not think that any 

 are captured there. I had not an opportunity of observing what 

 this Falcon chiefly preys on ; but all the Punjab falconers assert 

 that its especially favourite food is the large " Sandha " Lizard 

 ( Uromastix hardicicki) . 



The Cherrug is flown chiefly at the Houbara Bustard [H. 

 macqueeni), also at Hares, Kites, and occasionally at the Koolun 

 {Grus cinerea) and the Heron. I have had several trained for 

 Cranes, and killed a few ; but it is certainly not such a good and 

 bold bird for that large quarry as the Peregrine. On one oc- 

 casion I slipped a Cherrug at some Cranes ; and immediately 

 afterwards four or five Sarrus {Grus antigone) rose just behind 

 them. The Falcon came up first with these, and immediately 

 attacked one and brought him to the ground. On my riding up 

 I found the Falcon clinging to her huge antagonist, who was iu 

 vain endeavouring to shake her ofi" and strike her with his curved 

 claw. I dismounted immediately and secured the prize. My 

 falconers considered this a great feat. After the Houbara the 

 flight is often prolonged for two or three miles, and occasionally 

 the bustard escapes. After Hares two Falcons are often slipped, 

 and manage to secure the hare between them ; but when one only 



