ii8 GLIMPSES OF INDIAN BIRDS 



edge across the end of the tail. The chin, throat, 

 and under parts are white, with brown spots, which 

 become less plentiful as the individual grows older. 

 This disappearance with age of the markings on the 

 lower parts is very common among birds of prey, 

 and is one of the many problems of animal colouring 

 that do not appear to be explained by the theory of 

 natural selection. 



The hen turumti is about fourteen inches in length, 

 of which six consist of tail. The cock, as is usual 

 among raptores, is somewhat smaller than the hen. 



The red-headed merlin occurs only in India. It 

 is an evil manufactured for the sole benefit of the 

 small birds of Hindustan. The turumti does not 

 appear to undergo any periodical migration. It 

 preys chiefly upon small birds. Social larks, little 

 ringed plovers and sparrows are its commonest victims. 

 But it is not afraid to tackle larger birds. Frequently 

 it attacks mynas, starlings, quails, and doves. In- 

 deed the usual lure bird for a red-headed merlin is a 

 myna. This is tethered to a stick stuck into the ground, 

 and in front of it is stretched a net attached to up- 

 right posts. The first turumti to observe this swoops 

 down at the myna to find itself hopelessly entangled 

 in the net. Hume once saw a red-headed merlin strike 

 a pigeon and kill it with the first blow. Turumtis 

 do not confine their attention to birds. The alert 

 httle palm squirrel is often victimised, as are some- 

 times those bats that are so unwary as to venture 

 forth before the merhns go to bed. 



When pursuing their operations in the open tu- 



