316 THE POOD OF BIRDS IN INDIA. 



rum) is here regarded as injurious as it is said to carry the plague flea. 

 It feeds largely on insects, and may often be seen carrying large 

 crickets such as Brachytrypes achitinus, and Gryllotilpa africana. 



Voles and other small rodents are taken by Owls, and Shrews 

 by Strix flammea, Bubo ignavus, Athene brama, Haliastur indus i 

 Circus macrurus and Buteo desertorum. 



Moles by Asio otus. 



Of the larger Mammals Wolves, Foxes and Antelopes are 

 taken by Aquila chrysavtus, the latter being also taken by Falco 

 cherrug, Gazelles by Astus palumbirius ; bears (young), ibex, 

 chamois, children, goats, markhor and Ovis ammon are taken by 

 Gypaetus barb^tus ; Fawns of deer by Bubo ignavus, Huhua 

 nepalensis and Aquil i chyrysaetus ; Ewes and lambs by the larger 

 Corvidce, Aquila chrysaetus and Haliastur albicilii. 



Leptoptilus dubius is said to have taken a cat ; bats are occa- 

 sionally taken by Dendrocitta rufa, Ictinaetus malayensis, Aesalon 

 chiquera and Falco peregrinator. 



Birds. Most predaceous birds, especially Owls and Hawks 

 take a variety of birds as a portion of their food ; as a rule the larger 

 species also take game birds of all kinds and some of them make 

 inroads on poultry and pigeons, &<c. 



Attacks on poultry runs and domesticated pigeons are practical- 

 ly confined to various members of the Falconida?. Of this group 

 the Eagles almost without exception take chickens, pigeons and 

 sometimes ducks. Of Kites both the common species Haliastur 

 indus and Milvus govinda are at times great nuisances near chicken 

 runs, and especially during their breeding seasons, they appear to 

 take pigeons, but seldom game and rarely ducks. Falco spp. 

 Astur palumbarius, Lophospiza trivirgatus, and Spilornis cheela, all 

 do some damage, the latter having once been recorded as having 

 taken a Turkey. Owls but rarely take poultry ; Acridotheres tristis 

 is said to take chickens' eggs. 



Pheasants are said to be taken by Huhua nepalensis, Spizae\'us 

 nepalensis, Astur palumbarius, Falco peregrinus and Ictinaetus 

 malayensis. 



