2 THE BIRDS OF THE LUCKNOW CIVIL DIVISION. 
5.—Pseudogyps bengalensis, Gm. Native name— 
Chamar Gidh. 
The White-backed Indian or Bengal Vulture is common 
at all seasons. It breeds from November to the end of 
March, making its nest on tall trees, as near their tops 
as possible; and, in the vicinity of Lucknow, at any 
rate, I know of one breeding place where at least 50 or 60 
of their nests may be found, frequently two or three on the 
same tree. The nest is simply a large platform of sticks, 
and never, I think, contains more than one egg, of a dirty 
greenish white color, as a rule unspotted, but occasionally 
beautifully spotted or blotched with brown or reddish brown. 
Four eggs in my possession measure :— 
Average eee ... 3°35 by 2°40 inches. 
Largest 55 Rea irs | Bene 42 Ie ee 
Smallest $c bee Oo. On a, 
6.—Neophron ginginianus, Zath. Native name— 
Safaid Gidh. 
The Indian Scavenger Vulture is exceedingly common 
wherever human habitations are found, and is, of course, a 
permanent resident. In the district it breeds invariably on trees, 
except, perhaps, where an old mosque or tomb offers a suitable 
site; but in and around Lucknow, where old buildings, 
mosques, &c., abound, it invariably selects these, fighting with 
the Common Kite (JZ. govinda) for the possession of eligible 
building places. 
The only eggs (two) in my possession were taken from two 
different nests—one, on the 7th April from a nest on an old 
mosque near Chinhut, and the other on the 5th May froma 
nest in a pipal tree near the Rahimabad railway station. The 
Chinhut egg was entirely russet brown; the Rahimabad one 
white, with a few minute brown spots. They measure respec- 
tively :— 
Brown egg aa w- 2°8 by 2-2 inches. 
White ege ove veel, AO joni Mee eee 
The nest in both cases was a huge platform composed of 
sticks, old rags, rubbish, &c., that in the pipal tree, being only 
about 15 feet from the ground. 
8.—Falco peregrinus, Gm. Native name—Bhyri. 
The Peregrine Falcon is only a cold weather visitor, and, 
though never abundant, a pair or two may always be met with 
in the vicinity of the larger jhils. 
