34 BIRDS OF THE PLAINS 



tant (L. javanicus) has been observed on the Malabar 



coast. 



Some natives make adjutant-catching their profession. 

 The birds are captured on account of their down-like 

 feathers, which are of considerable commercial value. 



The catcher fits the skin of an adjutant over his head 

 and shoulders, and in this attire creeps up to a com- 

 pany of the birds as they stand half-asleep, knee-deep 

 in water. Great is the surprise of the unsuspecting 

 birds when one of them is unceremoniously seized by 

 the wolf in the adjutant's skin. 



