222 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 



The Brahminy Kite, a bird much less restricted in matters of 

 diet than his human godfathers, is also abundant; and Spilomis cheela 

 is fouud in the eastern woodlands, often near water, bat by not 

 means confined to its neighbourhood. The birds of prey of this 

 region seem to require a little more attention than they have 

 hitherto received, but I do not myself think that they will be found 

 to include any forms not found in either Khandesh or the desert 

 region. I have not met with the grey-backed or the white-tailed 

 Eagle on the fresh waters. 



Limnaetus Cristatellus is not uncommon in Eastern Gujarat, but 

 in spite of its watery name it is not a water eagle but essentially a 

 forest bird. 



One fish Owl (Ketupa) occurs in the eastern streams, probably in 

 greater numbers than might be supposed from the scanty record 

 as yet published. 



The Great Blue Kingfisher (H. Leucocephalus) haunts similar 

 waters. The other two Blue Kingfishers (H. Smyrnensis and Alcedo 

 Bengalensis) and the Pied Kingfisher (Geryle rudis) abound, but the 

 region is not generally favourable to the rarer species that belong 

 to or approach the Malayan fauna. 



Of Cranes we have three. The huge Sarus is a permanent resi- 

 dent, and a familiar object, as few people ever molest him. Iu one 

 flock of these cranes, which I had repeated opportunities of watching 

 there was a half-grown bird who used often, and of his own accord 

 to swim short distances. The common and demoiselle cranes are 

 cold-weather visitors, coming in huge flocks, especially to the north- 

 western plains. They roost in great numbers in certain marshes on 

 the edge of the desert; and as they fly eastwards in the early 

 morning over the cultivated lands, they seem like an aerial army 

 with banners and trumpets. Each corps keeps clear of its neigh- 

 bours, but the whole army advances almost in line, and sometimes 

 the flanks are out of sight on each horizon. But the whole force 

 seldom takes more than a few minutes to pass. These two species 

 are eagerly pursued, but generally take very good care of themselves. 



All the southern species of Plovers are abundant here. Of the 

 more northern Vanellinae (or Lapwings proper), Chettusi* gregaria 

 the Black-sided Lapwing, occur in small flocks, and Captain 

 Butler mentions the White-tailed Lapwing (0, leucura). Both the 

 4< Did-ye-do-its" are common; and both Stone Plovers occur in 

 suitable places,, and breed. For the certainty of this, in the case 



