32 RAPTORIAL BIRDS 
land, whilst along the shores it chases several species of Snipes, 
as well as the Green-winged Teal. * * * Even the presence 
of the tyrant man it little heeds; and in Pennsylvania one of 
this species came almost right upon me whilst in pursuit of a 
dove which found safety in my bosom from its persecutor.” 
The succeeding genus, C/iguera, is also composed 
of two species, one a native of inter-tropical Africa, 
the other of India, where it bears the native name 
Turumti. Dr. Jerdon, in his interesting work on the 
Birds of India, gives the following account of this 
species :— 
‘Tt frequents gardens, groves of trees, and even large single 
trees in the open country, whence it sallies forth, sometimes 
circling aloft, but more generally, especially in the heat of the 
day, gliding with inconceivable rapidity along some hedgerow 
or ‘bund’ of a tank, or across some fields, and pouncing sud- 
denly on some lark, sparrow, or wagtail. * * * * It preys 
chiefly on small birds, especially the social larks, sparrows, and 
the smaller ringed-plovers, also not unfrequently on bats, which 
I have seen it seize on the wing just atdusk. * * * * It 
has a shrill angry scream, and is very courageous, driving away 
crows, kites, or even the Wokhab Eagle,+ from the vicinity of 
its nest or perch. * * * * It is occasionally reclaimed and 
flown at quail partridges, mynas, but especially at the Indian 
Roller. In pursuit of this quarry the Falcon follows most closely 
and perseveringly, but is often paulked by the extraordinary 
evolutions of the Roller, which now darts off obliquely, then 
tumbles down perpendicularly, screaming all the time, and en- 
deavouring to gain the shelter of the nearest tree or grove; but 
even here he is not safe, the Falcon follows him from branch to 
branch, and sooner or later the exhausted quarry falls a victim 
to the ruthless bird of prey.” 
+ Aquila punctata. 
