IN THE NORWICH MUSEUM. 23 
birds incapable of flying; it will also attack young lambs, and 
feed greedily on carrion. In defect of these it readily eats mice, 
worms, and insects, and even snakes, the bones of which we 
have taken from the nest. It frequently resorts to the environs 
of towns to feed on offal, and is seen to sweep such matter from 
the surface of water with great dexterity.” 
In Africa, and Southern and Eastern Asia, Kites of 
various descriptions abound in many of the cities, 
where they act as scavengers, and become excessively 
bold in their habits, of which many anecdotes are 
recorded. Amongst these is one related by Mr. 
Layard of the large eastern Kite (AZ¢/vus govinda) in 
the following words: ‘In one instance I saw a lad 
about thirteen years old, struck to the grourd by the 
sudden pounce of a Kite, which bore off a good-sized 
fish from a basket the boy was carrying on his head.” 
The next genus, Gyforctinia, consists of a single 
Australian species, which is very rare in collections, 
and which is a desideratum in the Norwich Museum, 
though we possess a wing of this scarce bird, which 
was sent over from the Swan River with other birds’ 
wings, intended as plumes for ladies’ hats. 
The following genus, Rosthramus, also consists of 
a single species, a bird of gregarious and migratory 
habits, which is found in marshy districts throughout 
the warmer portions of North and South America. 
It is remarkable for the awl-shaped point in which 
the upper mandible of its bill terminates, and which, 
with its very sharp talons, is excellently adapted to its 
