FOR NORTHERN INDIA 26 



The kites (Milvus govindd) are likewise busy 

 at their nurseries. At this season of the year 

 they are noisier than usual, which is saying 

 a great deal. They not only utter un- 

 ceasingly their shrill chee-hee-hee-hee, but engage 

 in many a squabble with the crows. 



The nest of the kite, like that of the corby, 

 is an untidy mass of sticks and twigs placed 

 conspicuously in a lofty tree. Dozens of these 

 nests are to be seen in every Indian canton- 

 ment in February and March. Why the crows 

 and the kites should prefer the trees in a 

 cantonment to those in the town or surround- 

 ing country has yet to be discovered. 



Mention has already been made of the fact 

 that January is the month in which the majority 

 of the tawny eagles nest ; not a few, however, 

 defer operations till February. Hume states 

 that, of the 159 eggs of this species of which 

 he has a record, 38 were taken in December, 

 83 in January and 28 in February. 



The nesting season of the white-backed 

 vulture is drawing to a close. On the other 

 hand, that of the black or Pondicherry vulture 

 (0 to gyps calvus) is beginning. This species 

 may be readily distinguished from the other 

 vultures, by its large size, its white thighs and 



