366 Capt. R. C. Tytler on the Fauna of Barrackpoore. 



the same bird as the English Marsh Harrier, is found. The 

 Circus cinerascens, or Montagues Harrier of England, is also 

 sometimes obtained, as well as Circus melanoleucus, but the 

 latter is rare. The species of Raptores most frequently ob- 

 tained is the Micronisus badius, which is very plentiful. The 

 Spizaetus limnaetus and Pontoaetus ichthyaetus, two fine species, 

 are both uncommon ; however I was fortunate in obtaining good 

 specimens of both. The Haliastur indus and Milvtcs ater are 

 very abundant, and found everywhere; the first is known as 

 the Brahminee Kite, and the latter as the common Kite of all 

 India. 



The Vultures follow, and I shall first mention the Otogyps 

 calvv^ ; they are common, and recognised at once by their 

 scarlet head and wattles from other vultures : the other two 

 species are Gyps indicus and Gyps bengalensis ; the former is of a 

 brown and the latter of ablack colour. I have seen no other vultures 

 in this neighbourhood : all three are very common, the two last 

 more so than the first, which latter is frequently called the King 

 of the Vultures : these birds are so peculiarly filthy and disgust- 

 ing in their habits, that few collectors bestow much attention or 

 pains in procuring them. 



I was rather unfortunate in my collection of Owls, but suc- 

 ceeded in procuring good specimens of Scops aldrovandi and 

 the fine large Horned Owl, the Ketupa javanensis, as also Ninox 

 scutulatus ; all these three species may be considered uncommon ; 

 but the little Athene brama is very common, frequenting old 

 trees and houses. The only other owl procured in this locality 

 was the common Strix javanica, so closely allied to the Strix 

 flammea of England (the Barn Owl). 



The Upupa epops, the Hoopoe of England, is not common 

 at Barrackpoore, though during the cold season a few may be 

 procured. 



We now proceed to the Kingfishers : the Halcyon ghurial and 

 Halcyon smyrnensis are both very common, but the Halcyon 

 amauropterus is rare ; this latter abounds in the Soonderbunds, 

 and occasionally visits Barrackpoore. This tribe of birds is 

 easily found fi'om their constant coarse shrill call ; they frequent 

 the neighbourhood of trees, whereas the common Certjle varia of 

 Strickland, which is the Asiatic variety of Ceryle rudis, abounds 

 near streams of water and large rivers, where they may con- 

 stantly be seen hovering in the air like a kestril in search of 

 their prey. The Alcedo bengalensis is also very common, and 

 found in retired shady places near water. We now come to 

 the common and only Roller I have seen in this part of the 

 country, the Coracias indica ; there are but few Europeans who 

 are not acquainted with the Indian Blue Jay, as this bird is 



