found ill the neighbourhood of Simla. 535 



witli Gyps falvus of Graeliu^ and lumps tlie two birds 

 together on the ground that tliey are identical. 



The question which therefore now arises is this. Are 

 Ornithologists in India going to allow this doubtful state of 

 affairs in regard to such large birds as Vultures to continue 

 any longer ? 



It is tiue that Vultures in the flesh are by no means 

 pleasant creatures to handle, and that their skinning is a 

 frightfully dirty job ; but the difficulty can be got over to 

 a large extent by shooting them in the early part of the day^ 

 before they have gorged themselves, and when their crops 

 are practically empty^ and then preparing them for specimens. 

 What is really the most trying part of the business is the 

 sexing of these foul-feeders, especially on a hot smiimer day, 

 and it is then that the true mettle of the naturalist is tested. 

 For purposes of comparison and distribution, however, it is 

 quite immaterial whether a particular specimen is a male or 

 a female, and the sexing may therefore conveniently be 

 dispensed with. What is actually wanted, for the purpose 

 in view, is well prepared skins of fully adult birds from all 

 parts of India, with complete data as to locality, etc. For 

 unless a large series of specimens is forthcoming, it is 

 obviously impossible to generalise correctly. 



For some time past my friend Mr. Alexander Jones and 

 myself have been making observations with regard to the 

 various species of Vultures which are to be found in the 

 hills here, and on comparing notes the other day we found 

 that we had arrived at almost identical conclusions. As 

 our observations may be of some use in helping to clear 

 up a few of the doubtful points referred to above, we have 

 been induced to publish them, and trust that they will also 

 encourage other Ornithologists in India to record their 

 experiences. 



1. Vultnr monachus Linnaeus. The Cinereous Vulture. 

 Blanford, Fauna Brit. India, Birds, No. 1190. 

 This bird is a decidedly rare species in these parts, and, 

 during the course of observations extending over many 



2 o2 



