CLAP EK owt 1. 
HABITS AND HAUNTS OF BIRDS, WITH GENERAL DESCRIPTION 
OF TYPES OF EGGS. 
Vultures, (Otogyns, Gyps, Percnopteron, Gypaetus).—Build a 
large conspicuous nest of sticks; sometimes many feet in width and 
depth ; generally a huge solitary tree is chosen for the purpose, and the nest 
is difficult to reach, indeed often nearly inaccessible. The usual number 
of eggs laid in each nest is one; two is the greatest number ever laid, 
and that only by a few species; so that a good collection of the eggs 
of these birds requires a great deal of difficult climbing and perseverance. 
Some kinds, the king vulture and the “roc,” lay pure white eggs. 
Of other kinds the eggs are more or less spotted, those of the “ sca- 
venger” and bearded vulture being often very richly coloured. The 
great brown vulture (Vudéur monachus) only occurs here in the cold 
weather, all the other vultures are permanent residents, some breeding 
wherever they are found, others congregating at particular spots when 
the time for nest building arrives. 
Falcons, (Falco.)—Of the eight species of true faleons which 
are found in India, only three are known to breed here; the rest are cold 
weather visitants migrating to north and west in the summer. Of the 
three which remain, one, the laggar falcon ( F. juggur) is found in dry 
plains ; the two others, the “shahin” (F. perigrinator) and the black 
cap falcon (F’. atriceps) affect wooded and rugged country. The nest, 
though large, is generally well concealed. From three to six eggs are 
laid, which are always well marked, sometimes very richly coloured. 
Hobbies, (Hypotriorchis).—Nothing is known of their breeding 
in this country. The European hobby ((H. sudduteo) is a rather rare 
winter visitant. The Indian hobby (Z. severus) is a permanent resident 
in the eastern Himalayas, where its nest will probably be found in 
high trees in forest tracts. 
Merlins, (Lithofaleo).—The merlin of Europe (Z. esalon) is a 
rare cold weather visitant. The red-headed merlin (L. chicquera) is very 
common, it is a permanent resident, and chiefly found in mango groves. 
The nests are well concealed in thick foliage, and the eggs are of the 
same type as those of the true falcons. 
