144 A. Anderson — On a new species of Kite. [July, 



of white and pale buff about the head and neck of the new bird, which is 

 never present in its common congener 31. govinda, from which it has not 

 hitherto been discriminated. 



The following are the dimensions of specimens that have been forwarded 

 to illustrate this paper : 



These measurements correspond with those of the Australian bird (31. 

 a finis, Gould), which Mr. Gurney states he has received from parts of In- 

 dia, and which Mr. Hume* separates from 31. Govinda (vera), on account 

 of " its duller tints, and smaller size."f The italics are mine. The new 

 kite, therefore, cannot be the Australian bird (31. affinis), for, so far from 

 approaching 31. Govinda in coloration, it differs widely from that species : 

 (1) by its rufous toned plumage, and (2) by the white under the wings; 

 which are characteristic of our new bird. 



Neither can it be 31. melanotis, Temminck, as I at one time supposed 

 it might have been ; for Mr. Gurney informs me (in epist.) that specimens 

 of this kite, which he has received from Japan, vary from 25 to 28^ inches 

 in length (according to sex), with wings from 18i to 21i inches long, which 

 measurements are exactly similar to those of 3£. major. J For the sake of 

 comparison I forward a $ specimen of this kite, to shew the vast difference 

 in size between it and our new bird ; and yet how close they are in point 

 of colour. 



At one time I was inclined to believe that the subject of the present 

 paper was perhaps only the young of 31. Govinda ; but a comparison with 

 a Futtehgurh-born bird,§ will shew that this is quite impossible. The 

 difference between the two species is sufficiently striking to be quite appa- 

 rent to an ordinary observer. 



seem to be undistinguishable from the Australian affinis ; but I am not disposed to 

 accept the opinion that there are two separable races of Milvus in the Indian and 

 Indo-Chinese subregions." &c, &c. 



* Cf. " Stray Feathers," 1873, p. 161. 



f The examination of a large series of the common kites clearly shews that it is 

 quite impossible to say where affinis ends, and where Govinda begins. As to the 

 " duller tints" of the former, I find that this peculiarity is far from constant ; and as 

 to its " smaller size" I would give it as my opinion, that merely nominal difference 

 in this respect in a bird measuring twenty one inches long cannot be sufficient to 

 constitute a distinct species. 



J Mr. Hodgson was aware of the existence of this large kite, as his drawings 

 contain figures of it under the name of " Milvus Indicus," Hodgson. 



§ Also sent with this paper. 



