1874.] OF THE GOLDEN EAGLE IN INDIA. 211 



but less readily, Crows *, Jays f, and Mainas %, and such like ; but 

 any thing in the shape of raptorial birds, such as Kites, Buzzards, 

 &c, is rejected at once, thereby proving the truth of the proverb 

 that " Hawks pyke not out hawk's een." 



September 1st. — Has grown considerably during the past month, 

 and plumage now appears fully developed ; no changes of any im- 

 portance have occurred in his appearance and habits. 



October 1st. — No changes in plumage, but steadily increases in 

 size. Occasionally shows a savage temper with any one who ap- 

 proaches him. The dogs keep at a respectful distance ; but a fowl 

 who ventured within his reach was caught and killed instantly. [ 

 occasionally give him a chicken as a treat, and am much struck by 

 his mode of killing it : having seized the victim in his powerful 

 gripe, he makes no attempt at using his beak, but remains with 

 head erect, looking in a defiant manner at any one standing near him, 

 and meanwhile killing the fowl by the simple compression of his 

 powerful talons. Having completely killed it in this fashion, a pro- 

 cess which does not take more than a minute, he turns away, still 

 holding it in his grasp, and endeavours to shield it from the sight of 

 observers by spreading his wings over it (this is a peculiarity of all 

 Falcons) ; and finally, using his beak for the first time, he tears it in 

 pieces and swallows them till not a vestige, except a few of the larger 

 feathers, is left. ° 



November 1st.— Is evidently still growing, and is getting more 

 savage in his temper. The cry before alluded to has ceased ; and the 

 bird appears to enjoy the cold weather which has now set in. 



January 1st, 1872. — No change in size or plumage has occurred 

 during the past two months. The bird thrives well, but is getting 

 very savage and aggressive in his temper. 



March 1st. — Nothing worth noting since last observations were 

 recorded. 



May 1st. — Is now nearly a year old, has not grown to any appre- 

 ciable extent since last autumn ; and plumage remains unchanged ; 

 no signs of moulting at present. Temper very savage, and I have 

 been obliged to secure him by a strong cord fastened to a strap on 

 one of his legs ; he generally rushes to the full length of the cord, 

 and attempts to seize people who approach him. The man in 

 charge of him has no sinecure ; and the office of carrying him from 

 the tree under which his perch is placed for the day to the verandah 

 where he is kept at night is one of considerable danger. He would 

 be more awkward to handle and approach than he is were it not that 

 he appears to regard his claws as his only weapons of offence, not 

 dreaming of using his very formidable beak. This peculiarity is 

 shown, as I have said before, in the act of killing a fowl, which he 

 never touches with his beak until it is to all appearance dead from 

 the pressure of his talons. The loud cry that had ceased last 

 autumn has recommenced, and his impatience of confinement is 



* Corvus splendens and C. culminatus. Common in Hazara. 



f Garrulus lanceolafus and G. himalayanvs. Common in Hazara 



\ Acridothercs tristis. Common in liazara. 



