BIRDS OF THE KHASIA HILLS. 969 



Eagles. It captures them also by swooping down in the same manner as they 

 do. It seems to have no objection to day light. 



1169. Bubo coromandus. — The Dusky Horned Owl. 

 Recorded from North Khasia Hills. I have seen no specimens. 



1173. Scops giu.— The Scops Owl. 

 Rare. The mellow hoot-toot of Scops Owls may be heard all over the Hills 

 even in the pine forests, where, however, it is decidedly rare, during February 

 March and April, their principal breeding months. 



1175. Scops spilocephalus. — The Spotted Himalayan Scops Owl. 

 Rare. 



1178. Scops bakkamcena. — The Collared Scops Owl. 

 Rare. I have received specimens from Cherrapoonji. 



1183. G-laucidium cuculoides. — The Large Barred Owlet. 

 Common. Does not frequent pines and I have never heard its call near 

 Sbillong. 



1186. Glaucidium bkodiei. — The Collared Pigmy Owlet. * 

 Common in forest land. This tiay Owl is such an adept at hiding itself 

 that were it not for the constancy and peculiarity of its note, it would 

 generally escape observation altogether. 



Order ACCIPITRES. 



Family VULTURID^. 



1 191 . Otogyps calvus. — The Black Vulture. 

 Common. 



1195. Gyps tenuirostris. — The Himalayan Long-billed Vulture. 

 Common. I have not examined the skins of any Vultures procured in these 



Hills, and it is more than likely that others may be obtained here as well. 



1196. Pseodogyps bengalensis.— The Indian White-backed Vulture. 

 Common. The unmistakeable colouring of the upper parts of this Vulture 



renders it easily distinguishable. 



Family FALCONUXE. 



1213. Spiz/etus nepalensis. — Hodgson's Hawk-Eagle. 

 Recorded by Blyth. 



1217. Spilornis CHEELA.--The Crested Serpent-Eagle. 

 Rather common. The Khansama of the Nungpo Dak-bungalow informs 

 me that a pair of these birds devastate his poultry yard and declared that they 

 had once even attacked an exceptionally fine cock turkey. They are bold 

 birds always and don't fear mankind. 



1220. Bctastur teesa. — The White-eyed Buzzard-Eagle. 

 Common near the plains. 



1223. Hali^etos leucoryphus. — Pallas's Fishing-Eagle. 

 Occasionally enters the Hills, following the course of the large streams. 



1226. PoliOjETUS ichtiiy.etus. — The Large Gray-headed Fishing-Eagle. 

 Common below 2,000 feet. At this range this bird and the next overlap 

 15 



