THE BIRDS OF THE MADHUBANI SUB-DIVISION. 557 



(162) Neophron qinginianus. — The Smaller White Scavenger Vulture. 

 Blanford, No, 1197. Hume, No, 6, 

 Very common. It breeds from February to May. All my nests were 

 found on pipals, and ranged from 15 to 50 feet from the ground. If a single 

 egg is found in a nest and taken, the bird often lays another, but never in any 

 nest in which there were two eggs. They often use the same nest for 

 successive years. On once taking au addled egg from a nest, the bird 

 sat on a branch above the nests and uttered a wailing cry. Native name 

 Got gidh. 



Family Falconidce. 



Sub-family Falconinoe, 



(163) Aqoila vindhiana, — The Indian Tawny Eagle. 



Blanford, No. 1203. Hume No. 29, 



I have a bird shot on the 25th March, which I tase to be this species. Mir- 



shikar's name Madoom. 



(164) A, H4STATA. — The Small Indian Spotted Eagle, 

 Blanford, No. 1206, Hume, No. 30, 

 I have found this species rather rare, but have been fortunate in taking its 

 nest several times. The earhest nest was taken on the 17ih April, and the 

 latest with eggs on the 20Lh of June. A young one I had, when first taken, 

 used to sprawl on its stomach like the young S, acillatum ; in a week's time it 

 begin to help itself about with beak and wings, climbing from perch to perch, 

 and in another week was able to fly. In the nest from which this tird was 

 taken were the remains of a number of frogs. 



(165) HiERAETUS PENNATUS.— The Booted Eagle. 

 Blanford, No. 1208. Hume, No, 31. 

 I thinh I have noticed this species, but not having shot it, cannot be 

 certain. 



(166) Spizaetus nepalknsis, — Hodgson's Hawk-Eagle. 

 Blanford, No, 1213, Hume, No, 36, 

 On the 19th March 1896 I came across a pair of these birds flying over the 

 river at Hassowlie Factory. I saw one three times strike at a fish, twice it missed, 

 but the third time was successful and caught one. It carried it off to a small 

 tree some distance away. On going towards it, it flew off, but was brought 

 down with a charge of No. 8. It had finished the fish, but the remains of the 

 same were found in its gullet. The specimen shot was a very fine bird with a 

 beautiful crest. Another Hawk-Eagle, which I think is this species, was got at 

 Jainagar on the 6th April 1899. 



(167) CiRCAETUS gallicus. — The Short-toed Eagle. 

 Blanford, No. 1216. Hume, No. 38. 

 I saw a bird, which I am almost certain was this species, quarter- 

 ing the ground like a harrier, not far from Baghownie, on the 18th 

 October 1900. 



