422 Mr. J. Scully on the 



in May^ and reappearing on its way southwards about the 

 third week in September. In two adult males the iris was 

 bright yellow; in two immature males the iris was hazel, 

 slightly tinged with yellow in one, and pale straw-colour in 

 the other example. 



22. Circus ^ruginosus (Linn.). 



In twelve specimens, the males have the wings 14 to 16*1 

 inches, the females 15'4 to 17. The adult female has no grey 

 colour on the wings or tail. If in this sex the plumage of the 

 adult male is ever assumed, the case must be as exceptional 

 as in the Kestrel. The adults of both sexes have the iris 

 yellow ; and the immature birds of both sexes have the iris 

 brown. In the male changing to adult plumage, the tail is 

 the first part to become grey ; and at this stage the iris is of 

 some shade intermediate between brown and yellow. 



23. MiLvus MELANOTis, Tcmm. & Schl. 



The Kite referred to by Major Biddulph under the name 

 of Milvus govinda, and which I call M. melanotis, is a migra- 

 tory species in Gilgit, appearing as early as the 2nd February, 

 and passing over the valley in large flocks until the beginning 

 ot May. In five males the wings measure 19'25 to 20 inches, 

 tail 12'7 to 13, tarsus 2 to 2-2 ; in a female, wing 20, tail 13, 

 tarsus 2*2. 



I cannot agree with Captain Marshall that Mr. Brooks has 

 conclusively shown that Milvus melanotis { = M. major, 

 Hume) should be called M. govinda. Following Mr. Gurney 

 (Ibis, 1879, p. 7Q), it seems necessary to recognize three 

 races of Kites in India, under the names of M. melanotis, M. 

 govinda, and M. affinis. Of course, if these three forms are 

 to be considered as constituting only one species, they must 

 all be joined under the title of M. govinda. 



Milvus govinda, Sykes. 



This medium-sized Kite, which is not included in Major 

 Biddulph^s list, appears to be a straggler to Gilgit, probably 

 from some of the valleys to the south, where it may be resi- 

 dent. I obtained two adult females in April, which have the 

 wings 18*8 and 18'9 inches, and the tails 11-3 and 12. These 



