1917-] Nidification of some Indian Falconida. 233 



over our screens very fast and high. In this manner a flight 

 of Tufted Duck had just passed over, out of gun-shot, when 

 suddenly I heard a loud swish, sivisfi, and the next second a 

 Falcon fell like a bolt on one of these birds, and, striking 

 fair, sent it headlong into the lake behind me. At the time 

 the Ducks passed over me there was no sign of any Falcon 

 visible, and it must have been at an immense height when 

 it stooped. Other speedy fliers which these birds often 

 strike are Parakeets, and the Sliahins, when their breeding- 

 cliff's ai'e near the fiighting-pluces of these birds, take a heavy 

 toll of them each morning and evening as they pass to 

 and from their feeding-grounds, in flocks which sometimes 

 number many thousands. 



When killing small birds or bats they generally catch 

 their stricken game before it falls to the ground, but Duck 

 or Water-birds of greater weight are recovered from land or 

 from the water into which they may chance to fall, and are 

 tlience dragged to some convenient spot where they make a 

 meal. I have seen the Shahin stoop at and kill both Jungle- 

 Fowl and Kvalij Pheasants, and once saw one making a meal 

 of a Javanese Owl [Ketupa javanensis), but whether it had 

 killed it or not there was no proof. 



It certainly does not always kill its own food, for- 1 have 

 seen one feeding on a Duck killed the previous day, and 

 missed by the beaters, but undoubtedly under ordinary 

 circumstances it will not feed on anything it has not itself 

 taken. 



Falco severus Horsfield. (Plate V. figs. ], 2.) 

 The Indian Hobby. 



This handsome little Falcon is found throughout the 

 Continent of India, except the north-western and central- 

 western portions, and extends throughout Burma and Siam 

 into Malaya. It, however, seems to retire in the breeding- 

 season to the nearest mountains or hills, never ascending 

 these to any very great height, but being most often found 

 at elevations between 2000 and 4000 feet. 



It builds its nest, or makes use of some other bird's nest. 



