Indian Birds 



Vulture. (F. 1194), Q. 4), (+V, over a yard 

 in length.) 



Uniform brownish grey ; the hue varying 

 with individuals. 



Not found in Sind. 



143. Pseudogyps hengalensis : The Indian 

 White-backed Vulture. (F. 1196), (J. 5), 

 (4-V. Between 141 and 142 in size.) 



This is the commonest vulture in India. It 

 is very dark grey, almost black. The naked 

 head is rather lighter than the rest of the body. 

 The lower back is white, and this makes the 

 bird easy to identify. It has some white in 

 the wings, and this during flight is visible as a 

 broad white band that runs from the body 

 nearly to the tip of the wing. Thus the wing 

 from below appears to be white with very 

 broad black edges. (Illus. B. B., p. 9.) 



144. Neofhron ginginianus : The Smaller 

 White Scavenger Vulture. (F. 1 197), (J. 6), (V.) 



This familiar creature I have named " The 

 ugliest bird in the world." I reproduce the 

 description of the bird from Bombay Ducks : 

 " There is no other creature like unto it. It 

 is about the size of a kite. Its plumage is 

 dirty white, except the tips of the wings, 

 which are shabby black. The neck is covered 

 178 



