392 MR. R. C. BEAVAN ON INDIAN KAPTORES. [Juue 11, 



5. Gyps bengalensis, Gmel. 



Breeds in Maunbhoom in Februar^y, choosing for tlie purpose 

 almost invariably a large semul or cotton-tree, which at that time of 

 year loses its leaves and puts forth its fine scarlet flowers ; hence 

 the nest, which is generally placed at the junction of two large limbs, 

 or at the diverging point of several branches from the trunk, is 

 plainly visible, but not easy to get at ; for the Vulture chooses the 

 largest trees it can find, and most of them are smooth, large in 

 girth, and devoid of branches near the ground. 



The nest is circular, compactly built of fresh twigs with the 

 leaves on. Eggs two, dirty white, frequently blotched with red, 

 which, however, is either blood or dirt, for it is removeable by 

 brushing with soap and water. 



On my way down to the plains from Simla in October 1866, I 

 came across several of this species, which I have found abundantly 

 distributed in every part of tlie plains of India hitherto visited by 

 me. On the occasion alluded to, numbers of cattle had been used 

 for the purpose of carrying down baggage from Simla to the plains, 

 and, as a matter of course, several had died on the way. One which 

 I found on the roadside was surrounded by crowds of these Vultures. 

 On going up to examine it I disturbed above forty of them, most of 

 which flew up into the neighbouring trees. On going near the car- 

 cass I was surprised to hear a rumbling noise proceeding from its 

 inside. There was a good-sized hole dug out by the bills of these 

 birds in the neck of the carcass, and also another near its anus, 

 while the stomach was swollen out and distended as if with air. On 

 hitting this with my stick, it appeared to be filled out by something 

 inside, and in a few minutes, to my great astonishment, I found that 

 there were more Vultures all alive inside the carcass ! Two, follow- 

 ing each other in quick succession, shortly afterwards walked out 

 through the hole in the neck of the bullock, and the first imme- 

 diately flew off to a neighbouring tree, whilst the_other was so gorged 

 he could not do more than waddle oif to a rock close by, on which 

 he sat, whilst I left him and concluded my journey. Many a time 

 have I seen Vultures at a carcass, but never before to penetrate in- 

 side that of a dead beast. 



It is a curious fact, too, that whereas here, in the north-west of 

 India, these birds penetrate into the hills, as in this case, up to the 

 elevation of, and perhaps higher than Simla, or about 6U00 feet, 

 one seldom or ever at Darjeeling sees or hears of a Vulture, except 

 perhaps at Punkabarie, which is entirely at the foot of the hills. 

 The same remark applies equally to the next species. 



6. Neophron percnopterus, Linn., of Jerdon. The White 

 Vulture. 



N. ffitiffinianus. Lath- apud Blyth in ' Ibis' 1866, p. 233. 



As mentioned by Jerdon, this is the most abundant scavenger in 

 the upper provinces of India, but is entirely unknown in Lower 

 Bengal. Its limit seems to extend as far only as Rancegunge, a sta- 



