224 Capt. L. H. Irby on Birds 



" I do not attach much importance to the fact that the pos- 

 terior part of the Indian specimen shows two orifices which are 

 wanting in the Crimean example, because I think that the 

 absence of these holes in the Eagles generally indicates a degree 

 of maturity perhaps seldom, though certainly sometimes arrived 

 at. I may add, however, that it is usual for species of the re- 

 stricted genus Aquila to possess these holes, while I never before 

 saw them in any example of Halia'etus." 



This report is decidedly in favour of the species being distinct ; 

 but I hope some one may soon procure a European specimen, 

 which will decide the matter. 



25. Haliastur INDUS. (Brahminy Kite.) 



Abundant throughout the year, feeding almost entirely on 

 fish and frogs. I did not obtain a nest. This species was 

 common at the Island of Banca iu July 1857. 



26. MiLvus GoviNDA. (Goviuda Kite.) 



In the Catalogue of the Birds of the Asiatic Society's IMuseura 

 this Kite is called M. ater — being perhaps confounded with M. 

 migrans (the Black Kite), a species which, I believe, has not yet 

 been noticed in India, 



The Govinda Kite is found in swarms near all cantonments, 

 particularly those in which the carnivorous European troops are 

 quartered. I have seen certainly more than a hundred on the 

 wing at a time ; and the time of the men's meals could always 

 be told by the Kites being in motion and on the qui vive for the 

 scraps of meat and bones which are thrown away. They have 

 been known to snatch meat ofi' a plate which a servant was 

 carrying from the cook-house to the mess-room; occasionally 

 they may be seen catching fish in company with the Brahminy 

 Kite and the small Black-bellied Tern [Sterna javanica). They 

 nest on tall trees in the cold season ; but I did not obtain the 

 eggs — not thinking I should leave the country so suddenly. The 

 Govinda Kite is common in the valleys of Kumaon and at 

 Nynee Tal. 



27. Otogyps CALVUS. ("King Vulture" of European resi- 

 dents.) 



Found throughout the year, and breeds on tall trees at the end 



