1871.] 



RAPTORIAL, BIRDS OF INDIA. 



689 



2. The former has the tail invariably barred, the latter rarely 

 (judging from Indian examples). Only one out of ten specimens 

 has any indication of bars : these do not extend across the feathers, 

 but only occupy a space close to the shafts of the feathers ; and they 

 are not diagonal as in A.fulvescens, but at right angles to the shaft. 



3. There is a most decided difference in the/ee/ of the plumage 

 of the two birds ; that of A. ncevioides is soft and silky, while that of 

 the other bird is stiff and harsh. 



I will now leave the matter in the hands of those who will exa- 

 mine the birds in question to judge for themselves whether there is 

 any possibility of confusing the two Eagles together. As far as 

 mere coloration of plumage is concerned, there are probably no two 

 Eagles which resemble each other more than A. ncevioides and A. 

 fulvescens do in some stages of plumage ; and I am not ashamed to 

 admit that I have in my collection a large very pale Wokab (nearly 

 cream-coloured), which I carefully ticketed A. ncevioides. On show- 

 ing this bird to Mr. Brooks my hopes were dashed to the ground ; 

 and I can now conscientiously state that I could separate these two 

 birds, no matter in what stage, by simply looking at their nostrils 

 and tails. 



On the same day that I got my female A. ncevioides I also shot a 

 fine adult A. ncevia ; and as it is not every one who has the treat 

 of comparing these two birds together in the flesh, the following 

 careful measurements &c. are annexed in a tabular form for the sake 

 of easy reference and comparison : — 



Length 



Wing 



Tarsi to joint of toes 



Foot, greatest length 



Foot, greatest breadth 



Mid toe to root of claw 



Its claw along curve 



Hind toe to root of claw 



Its claw along curve 



Bill, straight, including cere from forehead 



to point of beak 



Bill along curve 



„ from gape 



„ width at gape 



Remarks. 



A. ncevioides. — Weight 5 lb. 3 oz. Crop contained a yellow frog. 

 Cere pale yellow ; gape dark yellow ; basal half of both mandibles 

 pale slaty blue, tips horny black. Eye-shelf pale greenish yellow ; 

 eyelids leaden ; orbital space covered with white down ; iris dark 

 hazel-brown ; a black eye-streak or eyebrow from cere to end of eye. 



A. ncevia. — Weight 4 lb. 4| oz. Crop contained nil. Feet 

 dingy yellow ; cere and gape pale lemon-yellow ; iris light brown. 

 This was a spotless bird with white tarsal plumes. 



