Gi ZOOLOGT OF IKDIA. 



bars of white. There is also an elongated spot of black 

 on the side of the head or cheek beneath each eye. The 

 under-plumage is white, more or less tinged with orange, 

 especially in the female. This beautiful little bird, which 

 scarcely exceeds the size of a sparrow, is a native of Bengal, 

 Java, and the isles of Sunda. Those from the continental 

 parts of Asia are asserted to be larger than such as occur 

 in the islands ; and, like other species, they also vary in 

 colour, according to age and sex. It is said by M. Tem- 

 minck, to feed on insects ; but, from the strongly-toothed 

 bill and muscular limbs, there is reason to believe that it 

 does not confine itself to such humble game, but also attacks 

 and overpowers many species of the gentler tribes, equal 

 or superior to itself in size, though inferior in strength and 

 courage. Indeed, Dr. Horsfield states that it was de- 

 scribed to him in the eastern parts of Java as displaying 

 uncommon boldness in the pursuit of small birds.* 



The alliance between the hawks and owls is extremely 

 close both in structure and habits, although the same 

 difference is observable between them as that which dis- 

 tinguishes butterflies from moths, — that the one tribe fly 

 by day and the' other by night. Hence the more solemn 

 associations, which we connect with these inauspicious 

 tribes : — 



"Percli'don the roof, the bird of niglit complains 

 In lengthen'd shrieks, aud dire funereal strains." 



One of the smallest and most beautiful of the Asiatic 

 species, and the only one to which we shall here allude, is 

 the little hawk-owl of Ceylon {Sinx Indica of Gmelin). 

 The back is dusky ; the wing-coverts are gray, with black 

 lines ; the breast is buff-coloured, with small arrow-shaped 

 markings. It is not above seven inches long. 



We shall now pass to the butcher-birds (genus Lanius), 

 which, presenting as it were a connecting or intermediate 

 link, have been arranged by some authors as the terminal 

 group of the accipitres, by others as the commencement 

 of the passerine order. Their bills are elongated and but 



* Zoological Researches. 



