130 BIRDS OF PREY. 



concert on the shores of the Black Sea. Besides these 

 forty-nine, he says, on the weedy heaps cast ashore by the 

 tide were assembled hundreds of sea-mews, sea-daws, sea- 

 swallows, and the like, preparing to snatch the fish out of 

 the water, and to divide amongst themselves the remains 

 of the banquet. Finally, several grebes swimming in the 

 area enclosed by the belt of fishers, while the space was 

 still sufficiently broad, played their part at the welcome 

 feast, frequently plunging after the scared and terrified 

 fish. 



The Asiatic plains are tenanted by numbers of bustards 

 and grouse, or heather-cocks. Thither, too, in quest of 

 carrion or of living prey, resort countless flights of crows 

 and other birds of predatory habit. Travellers speak also 

 of a black eagle, which the Mongols and Kalkas train to 

 hunt the moufflon, the wild goat, and the saiga antelope. 

 It is probable, however, that this is not an eagle properly 

 so called, but rather the ubiquitous black kite, which rises 

 so proudly on strong plumed wings, 



"And hunts the air for plunder." 



To Central Asia, however, belong several species of 

 eagles, buzzards, hawks, and falcons. They live very 

 peacefully in the waste solitary places, with no hand 

 to molest them; and so little fear do they entertain of 

 man, that they boldly enter the encampments of the 

 nomads, and carry off a portion of their provisions. An 

 incident of this nature is described by the Abbe Hue, who 

 on one occasion had seated himself, along with his travel- 



