1876.] RAPTORIAL BIRDS OF INDIA. 311 



belliformis). One bird invariably remained in the nest, sorting the 

 materials as they were brought by its mate. 



*12. Falco BABYLONicus, Gurney. (Plate XXIII.). 



This was the prize of the season ; and I believe the present example 

 is the finest e.\tant, both as regards maturity and beauty. I shot 

 this specimen in the Etawah district, on the 27th November, while 

 seated on the top of a low babool tree. It allowed me to ride suffi- 

 ciently close up to it to enable me to distinguish its rufous head and 

 the warm reddish hue of the underparts, which are the tests of the 

 fully matured Falco babylonicus. At first it occurred to me that it 

 was only a Lithofalco chicquera ; but its superior size soon dispelled 

 my doubts ; and a minute later, as the lovely bird hung hy its claws 

 head downwards, bleeding profusely through the mouth, I saw that 

 it was a fine example of the present species. 



The specimen now before me (a male) appears to be in full ma- 

 ture dress. Carefully measured in the flesh, the following are the 

 results : — Length 14*7 ; wing 10"7 ; tail from vent 6'0 ; tarsus 1'6 ; 

 bill straight (including cere) 1"0, along the curve (as above) 1"1, 

 width at gape 1"1; greatest expanse of foot — length 40, breadth 3"6, 

 centre toe and claw 2"5 ; weight 1 lb. 6 oz. ; the wings fall short of 

 the tail by M. 



The cere, gape, and orbital space were bright yellow ; the bill was 

 pale blue, darkening gradually towards the tip, which was blue-black ; 

 the irides were dark brown ; and the claws were horny black. 



The crop contained tiie remains of a Lark or Pipit. The Falcon 

 was in full enjoyment of repose after having made a good meal, and 

 was quite unconscious of any approaching danger : I have seldom had 

 a better opportunity of examining a bird of the kind at such close 

 quarters before. 



The figure in ' The Ibis' for 1861, p. 217, does not represent a 

 fully adnlt bird. It will be seen on comparing that figure with the 

 plate now given that the following characters are the indications of 

 full maturity : — first, the pale blue or grey mantle, every featiier 

 being broadly edged and tipped with rufous ; second, the very rufous 

 head, the moustachial stripe being also shaded off with the same 

 colour ; third, the warm reddish tint of the under[)arts, which, y>'o/« 

 the throat to the vent are wholly devoid of any markings at all, there 

 being only nfeiv light-blue or lavender dots on the lower flanks and 

 tibial plumes. 



I cannot understand Mr. Hume's 16-inch mule-[ ; his measure- 

 ments surely refer to a female ; if he were correct, Falco babylonicus 

 would be fully as large as Falco peregrinus (my males of the latter 

 average under 16 inches!), whereas it is in reality a smaller species. 



27 bis. AauiLA BiFASCiATA, Gray and Hardw. 



That Aquila orientalis. Cab., has hitherto (erroneously though) 

 been held to be distinct from Aquila bifasciata. Gray and Hardw., by 

 continental naturalists admits no longer of any doubt. I have just 



t Cf. ' Rough Xote5 ' part i. p. 80. 



