260 
being twigs and branches of the Barilla, a low shrub which is 
there plentiful. The eggs are almost invariably two in number, 
of a dull white, faintly stained with reddish brown, two inches 
and nine lines long, by two inches and three lines broad.” 
This bird oceurs, but only, apparently, near the sea coast, 
throughout India, Burmah, the Andaman Islands, (Tytler) 
Malacca, Celebes, Gilolo, Batchian, Morty, Aru Is. (Wallace) 
Sumatra, Java, and Timor (Mus. Lugd.) In upper, or conti- 
nental India, it is excessively rare, if indeed it ever occur. 
Mr. R. Thompson it is true, tells me, that he feels confident 
that this bird breeds on the Himalayan rivers, and that he has 
frequently met with it on the smaller streams of the Ram 
Gunga valley, but I cannot help suspecting that he has mista- 
ken for this species, the bird that I have provisionally identified 
with H. Pelagicus, and which I have described under No. 42 
Bis. 
Mr. Gould remarks, that this species ‘‘ depends almost entirely 
for its subsistence upon the dead Cetacea, fish, ete. that may 
be thrown up by the sea, and left on the shore, by the receding 
waves, to which in all probability are added, living moluscas 
and other lower marine animals.” ‘The following interesting 
notes by Colonel Tytler show, that when fish are eccentric 
enough to move about on the top of, instead of in the sea, they 
form a favorite food of this Hagle. 
“This species is not uncommon, throughout all the islands 
of the Andaman group. At Port Blair, it is often called the 
Duck Eagle, from the quacking sound it emits, (very similar 
to the quack of a Duck,) when flying, and particularly when 
fighting with another of the same species, about some captured 
fish. 
“The harbour of Port Blair swarms with a species of Pipe-fish ; 
these are constantly seen skimming along the surface of the 
water, (apparently on their tails,) for long distances, and it is a 
beautiful sight to see this fine Sea Kagle, whilst soaring high in 
air, dash down like a falling cannon ball on one of these 
wave-walking fishes, almost to a certainty capturing it, before 
it has time to sink into its natural element. No sooner, how- 
ever, does one of these Eagles capture a fish, than another is sure 
to be down upon him, eager to rob him of his prey. <A series 
of skirmishes, ending in a regularchase, takes place, and away 
go the Hagles, each quacking louder than the other, until both 
disappear far out at sea, leaving the result of the contest uncer- 
tain. 
* Whilst passing in the steamer near the island of Narkandam 
(between Burmah and the Andamans) for the purpose of 
stocking it with Pigs, Goats, and Fowls, for the benefit of any 
