to 'The Birds of India.' 343 



to be very nearly similar to the M. melanotis of Japan. It is 

 also, I believe, found in Northern China. It chiefly, perhaps, 

 occurs in Northern India, but is recorded by Mr. Blanford from 

 Central India. 



Dmiensions of one procured in India : — length about 22 in., 

 wing 16|, tail 10^, tarsus 2, middle toe alone 1|. 



It only differs when adult (Mr. Gurney tells me) from M. 

 migrans in .never getting the grey head always found on the 

 adult of the European bird ; and, what is worthy of notice, 

 specimens of the latter bird from South Africa and Mada- 

 gascar, with the head grey, have not yet been observed by the 

 same acute naturalist. I believe I have frequently seen this 

 small Kile; and other observers have noted the small size of 

 certain Kites procured in various parts of the country. Mr. 

 Hume does not notice it in his ' Rough Notes •/ but Mr. 

 Gurney tells me that he has lately recognized it, and procured 

 specimens. 



56 ^er. Milvus affinis, Gould*. The Lesser Indian Kite. 

 Mr. Gurney has seen specimens of what he considers un- 

 doubtedly this species from various parts of India. 



57. Pernis cristata. 



I understand that this species ought to stand as P. ptilo- 

 rhyncha, Temminck. 



Mr. Blyth has lately told me that all the recent specimens he 

 has seen in Lower Bengal had the irides in the adult red, not 

 yellow, as I think is the case always in Southern India, and 

 also in the North-west Provinces, according to Hume. 



60. Strix javanica. 



This species should stand as Strix indica, Blyth, S. ja- 

 vanica being an Owl like S. Candida. S. delicatula, Gould, 

 given as a synonym (on Kaup's authority), is a very distinct 

 species. 



61, Strix Candida. 



I lately killed this Grass-Owl at Suddya, in Upper Assam. 

 This specimen had the disk partially of a warm vinous-brown 

 * Birds of Australia, vol. i. pi. 25. 



