( 57 ) 

 THE CRESTED SERPENT EAGLE. 



Differs from the true Eagles in having its legs naked from the 

 knees downwards, and in possessing crest. It is a large handsome 

 bird, its whole plumage being a rich brown, its breast and under 

 parts marked with white "eyes" enclosed in a darker ring; the 

 leathers at the side of its head black and white, elongated into a 

 crest. It may often be seen near swamps and paddy-fields, quietly 

 sitting on the stump of a tree, on the look out for its prey which 

 consists chiefly of snakes, or otten be heard while it circles round 

 uttering its loud piercing cries at a great height from the ground. It 

 is fairly plentiful in all the suitable localities, and especially so in 

 the neighbourhood of Rangoon. It breeds early in February and 

 March, building a large nest in trees and lays a single white egg 

 spotted with red and purple. 



(No. 1217. Spilornis cheela.) 



THE WHITE EYED BUZZARD EAGLE, 



The Buzzard-Eagles are birds of a small size compared to the last, 

 and have their legs bare, and no knotch or tooth to their upper 

 mandible. The White-Eyed Buzzard is a bird of medium size, being 

 about seventeen inches in length; and is a brown hawk-like bird 

 with long pointed wings, its upper plumage being a pale brown, 

 chin and throat whitish with a dark stripe on each side, breast 

 lighter in colour than the back, tail rufous. It is very plentiful in 

 the dry-zone, and may often be seen skimming over low- lying scrub 

 jungle. It is an early breeder, and lays three or four plain greenish 

 white eggs. 



Burmese name Jo-sain. 



(No. 1220. Butastur teesa.) 



THE FISHING EAGLES 



Differ from the true Eagles in having unfeathered legs ; and are 

 large handsome dark brown birds, with light coloured heads. 



Four kinds have been recorded from Burma. Pallas' Fishing- 

 Eagle, being the commonest, and may be seen generally along weil- 

 wooded river banks, and is extremely noisy during the breeding 

 season which commences in November. 



THE BRAHMINY KITE. 



This is the chestnut coloured kite with conspicuous white head 

 and under parts. It is never found far away from water, being very 

 partial to paddy-fields and swamps, and is generally to be found 

 along rivers freeding on crabs and offal; and is not above carrying 

 off a wounded snipe whenever it gets a chance, 



Burmese name Zoon-young-byu. 

 (No. 1228, Haliastur indus.) 



