93 Mr. E. Blyth's List of Birds obtained 



Ganges, where it occurs in vast numbers, in company with other 

 Haliaeti, would for a moment doubt where its proper position ought 

 to be in the ornithological system* :" whilst Mr. Hodgson maintains 

 that — " Those who have classed the Brahmani Cheel of India with 

 the fishing eagles, may be safely said to know as little of the struc- 

 ture as of the habits of that paltry Milvine bird ; or else of the group 

 with which they have associated itf." For my part, I much prefer 

 to retain it as an aberrant Haliaetus, the principal difference rela- 

 ting to the comparative size of the feet ; and I refer to Mr. Jerdon's 

 excellent description of the habits of this bird X, conforming entirely 

 with my observation of it, in corroboration of this view of its affini- 

 ties, though Mr. Jerdon rather inclines to Mr. Hodgson's opinion on 

 the subject, and even ranks it as an aberrant species of Milvus. 



19. Ichthyiactus cultruncjms, nobis (Journ. As. Soc. Beng. xi. 110). 

 Tliis bird was described, but not named, by Latham, whose work I 

 have not now to refer to. It is beautifully figured among the drawings 

 of the late Dr. Buchanan Hamilton. The species is not uncommon 

 in the Soonderbuns, but I have obtained only one individual in the 

 vicinity of Calcutta. 



20. Pandion haliaetus. The osprey is more or less common in 

 suitable districts throughout India, and is now and then seen near 

 Calcutta. I have obtained one recent specimen. 



21. Milvus Cheele; M. govinda, Sykes. Excessively numerous 

 about human abodes, but rarely, if ever, seen at a distance from 

 them. It is not unusual to see a hundred or more circling in the air 

 together, especially towards the evening, all collected about one spot, 

 though there may be no refuse to entice them thither ; or if some 

 garbage be thrown out, their dexterity at clutching whatever they 

 can seize, without alighting, a number of them rapidly following each 

 other and descending thus in the most crowded streets, affbrds a 

 curious spectacle ; a few will generally alight and mingle among 

 their fellow-scavengers the crows, while a crowd of others are cir- 

 cling and dashing over them, and stooping as they sweep by. In 

 illustration of their boldness, I may mention that I once received a 

 smart knock from the wing of one of these birds in a crowded bazar, 

 as he passed close to my shoulder from behind §. The direct flight 

 of this kite, when not sailing, is heavy and laboured, being relieved 

 at intervals by gliding Avith motionless wings : numbers may com- 

 monly be seen overhead buoyantly floating and gliding in easy curves, 

 yet keeping much together, whether sailing high or low ; and their 

 descent upon any garbage is very rapid, and often spiral. They are 

 decidedly social, and many may daily be seen together sitting on a 

 dead tree, or the parapet of a house, preening or sunning themselves, 

 while others are sailing about above them. Their often-repeated cry 



* Calc. Joiu-n. Nat. Hist. i. 318. f Journ. As. Soc. Beng. vi. 368. 



X Madras Journal of Literature and Science, No. xxiv. 72. 



§ With the British kite, tenipora mutantur. Pennant lias shown that these 

 formerly (in Henry the Eighth's time) abounded in the streets of London, 

 and would pick up food from amidst a crowd of people, being protected by 

 law in their useful capacity of scavengers. 



