206 THE tfOOD OF BlfeDS IN INDIA. 



carried off a small fish on which the kite was in the act of stooping. 

 F. I. Ill, 373. Fish, Crustacea, frogs, B. N. H. S. J. X, 505 ? Ter- 

 mites. B. N. H. S. J. XIV, 559. Termites flying from ground. 

 B. N. H. S. J. XII, 289. Carrion. E. B. C. N. H., 148. Chiefly 

 on fish. Imp. Gaz., I, 253. 

 Stomachs examined 



13_5_07. 5 Schizodactylus monstrosus. 



3 Gryllotalpa africana. 

 7 Brachytrypes achatinus. 



Remains of a small bird. 

 3 Frogs. 



12-6-08. 2 Mice. 



1 Lizard. 

 3 Frogs. 

 10-7-08. 2 Schizodactylus monstrosut. 



1 Gryllotalpa africana. 

 21-8-08. 16 Brachytrypes achatinus. 



3 Blades of grass. 

 5-9-08. 2 Young chickens. 



10-9-08. 2 Atractomorpha crenulata. 



Remains of a small bird. 

 3_10-07. 32 Chrotogonus sp. 



1 Frog. 

 10-10-07. 16 Brachytrypes achatinus. 



2 Frogs. 



10-10-07. 12 Brachytrypes achatinus. 



12-10-08. 3 Liogryllus bimaculatus. > 



1 Brachytrypes achatinus. 



Feet and legs of a small bird. 

 3 Worms-Nematodes (parasitic ?). 

 5 Shot. 



Summary. 100 injurious insects taken by 10 birds, 4 birds took 

 9 frogs between them ; 3 took small birds : 1 a lizard ; one 2 mice, 

 and 1 young chickens. 



This bird occurs more commonly during the rains, but may 

 be seen nearly the whole year round in the neighbourhood of water. 

 It is nearly always present during irrigation operations, and at such 

 times feeds on all kinds of crickets, which come to the surface on being 

 flooded out, on grasshoppers and on frogs. I have seen it on several 

 occasions take worms and lizards and at times individuals are a great 

 nuisance to chicken runs, taking off the young birds. I have never 

 seen them attempt to capture wild birds. During the rains I 

 have frequently seen Brahminy Kites waiting on trees near grassy 



