77 



1872.] RAPTORIAL BIRDS OF INDIA. 



essentially a clean feeder, and never consorts with its brotherhood over 

 a dead carcass. It is, however, worth mentioning that the craw of one 

 which I shot was very much distended, and to my surprise contained 

 the leg and foot complete of a Short-eared Owl (Otus brachyotus) ' 

 How such a morsel could have been digested it is impossible to say 

 1 he old Scotch proverb, "Hawks dinna pick out Hawk's een '* 

 if taken in a literal sense, is certainly not applicable in this case 



Since writing the above, I have obtained another immature ex- 

 ample, which is certainly a year older than the one already men- 

 tioned as the dark ruddy-brown plumage beneath has given place 

 to a pale fawn-colour : and the vent and thigh-coverts are assuming 

 a whitish appearance. Probably this bird does not assume its full 

 adult plumage before the fourth year. 



38. Circaetus gallicus, Gmel. (The Short-toed Eagle.) 

 Generally distributed in suitable localities. Lays a single white 



egg, from January to March, and generally selects "a solitary tree in 

 an open plain for its nest. This Eagle is easily distinguished, either 

 when soaring or sitting on a tree ; it is rarely seen in well-wooded 

 country. 



39. Spilornis cheela, Daudin. (The Crested Serpent-Eagle.) 

 By no means an uncommon bird, and has exactly the opposite 



habits of the preceding one. It is very local, and only met with in 

 well-wooded, watery places. In short, it affects the same sort of 

 ground as the Spotted Eagle ; and, like it, subsists almost entirely 

 on Green Frogs. It is a very tame bird, and sits in a slouching 

 manner on a low bough of a tree overlooking some stagnant pool. 

 I have never seen it on the wing, unless made to fly. Does not 

 breed m the plains. 



42. Haliaetus leucoryphus. (Pallas's Sea-Eagle.) 



These fine birds are common, frequenting rivers, canals, and 

 j heels. Although fish forms their chief sustenance, there is no doubt 

 that they feed largely on aquatic birds ; and, judging from their 

 numbers, and the quantity of feathers one meets with along the edges 

 of jheels, they must be the most destructive Eagles in the country. 

 The nest of one examined contained the bones of the common Hare 

 (Lepus ruficaudatus). Nidification commences early in November, 

 and lasts till February. Two is the usual number of eggs they lay' 

 exactly similar to those of Haliaetus albicilla ; but I have three 

 taken from a nest not long ago ; this, however, is very unusual. 



Next to Gyps bengalensis, this is the earliest breeder among our 

 Indian Raptores. A case has come to my knowledge of this Eagle 

 completing the outer fabric of its nest as earlv as the 10th of Oc- 

 tober, and then actually forsaking that locality for about three weeks, 

 when both birds suddenly returned and finished their homestead. 



They build invariably on trees, on the banks of rivers, or close to 

 jheels, which are thronged during the cold season with innumerable 

 waterfowl, and thereby secure ample food for themselves and their 



