4 
Subfamily BuTEonIN». 
Genus Mitvus. 
Mitvus AFrinis. Common Inp1ANn KITE. 
This is one of the most common, if not the commonest bird of prey 
to be found in India. Over every cantonment, town and village they 
are to be seen, sweeping round in graceful circles, ever and anon 
making a swoop, as their quick eye descries some offal thrown out 
from cook-room or hut, seizing it in their claws without alighting, 
and making their repast on the wing. So sudden and bold is their 
dash, that in two cases which occurred amongst my own servants, a 
Kite pounced on the contents of a plate which a servant was bringing 
from the cook-room, and was off almost before the man knew who 
the thief was, and whence he came. On another occasion the theft 
was not confined to meat, for either a silver fork or spoon was thus 
whipped up, and the thief, after being chased by the affrighted 
servant, and scared by his shouting, dropped it in a neighbouring 
garden. The poor servant doubtless thought that a Kite would never 
be suspected of having committed the theft. The food of this bird 
consists of every kind of animal refuse; and in providing two such 
efficient scavengers as this Kite and the Egyptian Vulture, in a coun- 
try where all animal matter begins at once to decay and would form 
a constant source of pestilence, the hand of an all-wise aud gracious 
God is clearly visible. The common Indian Kite builds its nest on 
tall trees, during the months of February, March and April. I saw 
a bird building as late as the 18th of April. The nest is composed 
of sticks, and contains as many as three eggs. I never found more 
than that number. The eggs are 2,3; inches in length and 143 inch 
in breadth, varying a good deal in colour, but generally of a whitish 
ground, more or less blotched and spotted with reddish-brown; in 
some the markings are chiefly at the large end, in others at the small. 
Mitvus Ponpicerianus. Brauminy KITE. 
The eggs of this fishing Kite I have never seen, but I transcribe a 
note of its nest and young: “Feb. 27, 1850. Found the nest and 
two young birds of a species of fishing Hawk ; the young ones were 
covered with whitish down, that on the back of a pale brown colour. 
The nest, formed of sticks and lined with mud, was built on a tall 
tree on the banks of the Bheema River, where these birds are com- 
mon.” As far as my observations go, I should say that this bird is 
decidedly a fishing Hawk. I have never seen it but either sailing 
along the course of a river or in the vicinity of water. 
F Genus PEernis. 
PERNIS CRISTATA ? 
I have not been able to ascertain anything relating to the nesting 
or the eggs of this Buzzard, but I was informed by a Mhar who 
saw it, of a curious habit of this bird; that when about to feed on a 
