564 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HLST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIIl. 



Sissi to Bordeobam, North Lakhimpur, 24-2-08*, noted on two occasions 

 in " pothar " and grass lands. 



Dejoo, 25-6-08*, an immature bird ; breast tinged with fulvous. Again 

 seen on 27-6-08* which possibly was the same bird. 



North Lakhimpur, 9-1-09*, in flight over poio ground. 



Pohumara, North Lakhimpur, 11-11-10*, three to four miles south on 

 Bodutti road hovering gracefully over "pothar" land. Its efforts at 

 hovering may not be as perfect or sustained as the Kestrel, yet this Kite 

 is a most interesting and beautiful addition to the landscape. 



Silonibari, 11-4-11*, a pair ; 6-5-11*, 19-8-11*, a splendid bird preening 

 its feathers whilst perched on a stake in a portion of the garden allowed 

 me to approach within a very few yards ; there was a strong breeze 

 blowing and as it rose it soared up to a considerable elevation ; the sun 

 threw its white tail feathers into prominence a fine sight heightened by 

 the atmospheric conditions ; the heavy black clouds which enveloped the 

 hills gave warning of the close proximity of a thunderstorm. Silonibari, 

 B-9-11*, a single bird probably immature. 



This Kite is essentially restricted to the vast expanses of grass along 

 the sandy banks of the rivers. The above notes of its occurrence at various 

 times at the base of the hills are therefore of interest. 



341. Circus macrourus (Gm.) [1233]. — The Pale Harrier. 



Circus macrurus, Blanford, F. B. I., Vol. iii., p. 381. 



Dejoo, North Lakhimpur, 14-2-09, 2 ; 23-4-07, 5 * ; 27-4-08, $ * ; 

 3__4.5.10, $ *. 



These three records in April and May probably refer to this Harrier, 

 it not, certainly C. cyaneus, as no specimens were secured it is impossible 

 to say to what species they refer with absolute certainty as identification 

 of these Harriers on the wing is a difficult matter. 



Colouration of soft parts in female. Iris deep brown ; cere greenish ; 

 bill blue black ; tarsus pale yellow ; claws bluish-black. 



342. Circus cyaneus (L.) [1235]. — The Hen-Harrier. 



Dejoo, 15-9-08, $ * ; 26-10-08, $ * ; 13-11-10, $ * ; 9-1-09, $ * ; Kuuga- 

 gora, Dibrugarh, 24-1-04, $ ; 26-1-04, S ; Dejoo, 14-11-09, ? ; PathaHpam, 

 North Lakhimpur, 2-3-09, c? ; Kamptigwali, Dibrugarh, 7-3-04, c? ; Dejoo, 

 7-3-09, 5 ; North Lakhimpur, station limits, 16-4-10, $ *; Rungagora, 

 Dibrugarh, 23-4-02, 5 *; Silonibari, 29-4-11, $*; Dejoo, North Lakhimpur, 

 26-10-08. I came across a female at work dispatching the remains of a 

 Hoopoe on my rounds this morning. 



Dejoo, 7-2-09, I noted two females beating the ground in a most 

 systematic manner, almost impossible for anything to escape as they had 

 both taken their positions at different heights, the one following also in 

 the wake of the other. 



Dejoo, 9-2-09, Hen Harriers, females at all events are to be seen 

 hovering over the tea and also occasionally engaging in bouts of combat 

 as next day I noted two with another hawk careering in hot pursuit after 

 each other. 



Colouration of soft parts in adult male : Iris golden yellow ; in immature 

 male, iris pale yellow ; cere bluish-yellow ; bill dark horn ; tarsus dull 

 yellow ochreous ; claws black. In one adult female, iris bright yellow; 

 cere and eyelids similar ; bill horny black; gape greenish-yellow; tarsus 

 orange yellow ; claws black. Another adult female : iris stone brown ; cere 

 greenish ; bill blue black ; tarsus deep yellow ; claws bluish-black, and a 

 female also has the iris light stone brown ; cere and orbital ring yellow 

 with a green tinge ; tarsus pale yellow ochre. 



