Birds of the JheJum District. 93 



but tliat Bateo ferox is accustomed to Ijreed in the Salt 

 llatige must, I think, be clearly denied. 



Buteo desertorum. The Desert Buzzard. 



916.3.11.1913. Jhelura. (^. Wing 378 mm. 



In addition to the specimen obtained, a second bird, 

 ])i-obably of this species, was observed to be haunting the 

 lieavier jungle in the Rak during tlie whole of January. 



[Iris pale brown ; feet yellow ; claws black ; bill black ; 

 cere and gape dull greenish yellow. — C. B. T.'\ 



Astur palumbarius. The Goshawk. 



I have no records of this Goshawk occurring in the dis- 

 trict, but it is generally stated amongst the natives of the 

 upper part of the district that stray birds have been caught 

 in the Diljabbar Rak in the Salt Range. One bird in par- 

 ticular is talked of as having had " a snow mark'' on it 

 when caught, a sign that it had that morning arrived from 

 the Himalayas, which stand out clearly to be seen across the 

 Jhelum River. 



A common resident in the district, including the Salt 

 Range. There were also siyns of a distinct autumn passage 

 about October and November. These game little Hawks 

 are easily caught by means of a net called the "Do gazza/' 

 consisting of a square of fine net about 6 ft. by 4 ft., hung 

 vertically between two upright sticks, in front of which a 

 live quail is tethered as bait. The Hawk stoops at the quail 

 and gets entangled in the net. In fact, they are apt to be 

 a nuisance, often being taken in nets set for nobler quarry. 

 The Shikra is chiefly used to take Mynahs and Quail, being 

 held in the hand and literally thrown at the bird selected. 



[^Adult male. Feet yellow, claws black; cere dull greenish 

 yellow ; bill blue-grey, anterior half black. 



