410 Mr. H. Whistler on the [Ibis, 



Falco chicquera Daud. (1 skin.) 



A resident and generally distributed species in small 

 numbers. On one occasion ] saw a pair chasing a Snipe, and 

 another bird was seen hawking at bats at dusk. 



Falco tinnuncnlus tinnunculus L. (3 skins.) 



The Kestrel is a common winter visitor to the district, 

 arriving early with the autumn passage and remaining on 

 until well into the spring passage with no apparent change 

 in its numbers. The first dates for its appearance were : 

 9 September, 1918 ; 24 August, 1919. It was last seen : 

 13 April, 1918 ; 6 April, 1919. 



Aquila heliaca helica Sav. (1 skin.) 



The Imperial Eagle is doubtless a not uncommon winter 

 visitor to the district, as many must escape notice among the 

 multitudes of A.r. vindliiana. I have six records for December 

 and January of the type represented by the only skin pre- 

 served — that is to say, a large dark chocolate bird with a 

 bright golden crown. Only one of these had white feathers 

 on the scapulars. 



[Aquila nipalensis nipalensis Hodgs. 



Some of the larger Eagles observed during the winter 

 months were doubtless Steppe Eagles, but no specimens were 

 actually procured. On 21 February, 1920, I witnessed a 

 performance by a larger Eagle — probably of this species or 

 the last. I was out riding in the evening on the plain near 

 Hir's tomb, and seeing the Eayle standiuo- on the ground, 

 rode towards it. It immediately lay down on its breast with 

 the head up (after the attitude in which Neophrons rest on 

 the ground), and remained squatting like that wdiile I rode 

 round it twice at a distance of about 10 to 15 yards, while it 

 turned its head to watch me. I then deliberately put it up, 

 and after flying a short distance it settled on the ground, 

 walked up to a small desert plant and squatted beside it after 

 the manner of a Bustard, but in the attitude already described. 

 I flushed the bird once or twice again and could see no sign 



