44 Mr. W. E. Brooks on Birds observed 



{N. gingiiiianus), pointed out by Mr. Blyth in 'The Ibis' for 1866 

 (pp. 233, 234), appear to me hardly sufficient to constitute 

 separate species. I believe the difference to be merely the effect 

 of climate, for a slight diffei'ence is generally to be observed in 

 all birds common to different continents. 



7. Gypaetus barbatus. This fine bird is not uncommon at 

 Nynee Tal and Almorah, more numerous at the latter place than 

 the former. I never found out where they breed ; for the whole 

 country abounds with fine cliffs, and to search for the nest 

 would be hopeless work. Though apparently going so easily, 

 the speed at which the bird flies is very great, and a distance of 

 ten or twelve miles is passed in a few minutes. It has a habit 

 of quartering the ground on a hill-side in search of its prey in a 

 very systematic manner. The bird goes backwards and forwards, 

 two or three miles at a time perhaps, and at each turn it goes 

 considerably lower down, till by this means it searches the whole 

 hill-side. I have noticed some of the Harriers [Circi) quarter 

 their ground in a similar manner. While I was at Almorah a 

 rabbit-yard was frequently visited by these birds, and rabbit 

 after rabbit carried off. I only procured two specimens of the 

 Lsemmergeyer, though I had many shots. These birds appear 

 to carry off more shot than even Eagles. 



17. TiNNUNcuLUS ALAUDARius. Tolerably common, I saw 

 a young bird taken from a nest near Almorah. The colours of 

 the adult male do not appear to be so pure as those of the 

 English bird. The grey of the head is darker, I think, and the 

 chestnut of the back more dingy. 



20. HiERAx EUTOLMUs. I saw this little Falcon two or 

 three times flying swiftly by, but I did not succeed in getting a 

 shot at it. 



33. NiSAETUS BONELLii. Frequently seen, but not so com- 

 mon as it is in the plains. I saw a pair make a dash into a 

 fowl-yard at Almorah, whence the male emerged with a fine 

 young fowl in his talons, which he carried to the bottom of a 

 small ravine and there began eating it. For a time the female, 

 which had followed, contended with him for a share of the spoil, 



