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of Cirrhatus and Nipalensis, but actually disbelieve (as I did 
at one time myself) in the existence of any distinct species, 
S. Cristatellus vel Cirrhatus. 
I cannot here do better than quote the remarks of Mr. R. 
Thompson, who, without any communication on this subject 
with me, scarcely a year ago sent me the following— 
“ Jerdon does not give a description of the young state of L. 
Nipalensis, but from his description of the early and later state of 
L. Cristatellus, (S. Cirrhatus,) I am inclined to think that he has 
mistaken LZ. Nipalensis for it; any how, his descriptions hold 
correct for the young and somewhat later stages of L. Nipalensis. 
The long occipital crest nearly five inches long, deep black, tipped 
with white, is exactly it. The Z. Niveus (S. Cahgatus) though 
sometimes with the crest, has it not so long, nor is it black, but 
a dark brown, edged on the upper margin with earthy white. 
Jerdon’s description of the young state of L. Cristatellus is posi- 
tively precise with the actual state of the young Z. Nipalensis, 
excepting that beneath, this latter is not pure white, but a very 
light rusty with some few black centre markings.” 
“Last year I obtained two authenticated live specimens of 
the young L. Nipalensis. Photographs of these birds were sent 
to Mr. Hume. I have now a live one in the second stage of 
plumage, which would agree with Jerdon’s adult ZL. Oristatellus 
only that it is very light ferruginous below, instead of pure 
white, as in adults of the Z. Niveus.”’ Later, Mr. Thompson after 
further opportunities of observation, altered his opinion and 
writing from Jubbulpoor in May 1869, he says, “I have got a 
couple of skins of Limnaetus Cristatellus, just as Dr. Jerdon 
describes it and I feel with him that the two races (LZ. Niveus 
and Cristatellus) are distinct. The cries of both birds are pre- 
cisely similar and no ordinary observation would enable one to 
point out where the difference lies; but this, as Dr. J. says, will 
be found in the long black crest pointed white, which is always 
present. I have seen several, all with the black, white tipped, 
full crest. I only found one nest, which contained a half fledged 
young one, which I took and kept for some days till the heat 
killed it. Young as it was, the little wretch used to seize and 
clutch hard a chicken offered to it.” 
Mr. R. Thompson also says, “ S. Caligatus is the bird which 
holds sway in the lower forests. In the Himalayas it is succeeded 
by S. Nipalensis ; but in the more open country in the lower 
plains, there occurs a small semi-crested Hagle, the minature of 
S. Caligatus, which Jerdon nowhere describes. My specimen 
was shot in the act of feeding on a grey horn bill which it had 
chased and killed. It was not Astur Trivirgatus. It had the 
tarsi well feathered to the toes. The skin was sent home.” 
