FALCO ICHTHY^TUS. 



quently surprised it, perched on the extremity of a dead branch, in the attitude in 

 which it is represented in the figure which illustrates this article, watching its prey. 

 But I had previously become acquainted with its appearance and manners. During 

 my residence on the hills of Prowota, situated abovit twenty miles south-east of 

 Semarang, I found a single pair of these birds, which had established themselves for 

 several successive years, near a village on the confines of an extensive lake, formed 

 by the annual accumulation of water during the period of rains, and distinguished 

 by the name of Rawa (lake) of Damak. The birds had built their nest on the 

 summit of a very large tree, where their motions were often watched by the natives; 

 and by the assistance of one of these, I obtained both the male and female bird, and 

 examined their nest. The latter was constructed in a rude manner of branches of 

 trees. The branches which were placed on the exterior, were more than an inch in 

 diameter; the inside was lined with small twigs: it was irregularly round, and 

 very slightly excavated. The birds were surprised during the period of incubation. 

 The male was procured living, and kept in confinement several weeks ; the female 

 was unfortunately strangled in the snare which was set for it. The nest contained 

 one young bird, recently hatched, and a single additional egg, which being placed 

 under a hen, was hatched in twenty-four hours. The male bird, on being caught in 

 the snare, permitted itself to be seized by the native who ascended the tree, without 

 making any resistance. It was brought to me without delay. The bird at this 

 time lay in the arms of the native, apparently conscious of its situation, and with- 

 out making use of its claws or bill, or exerting any efforts to extricate itself. It 

 suffered itself to be handled and examined very patiently. Being placed in a 

 large cage, I had an opportunity of observing it during several weeks. It made a 

 few efforts in the beginning to set itself at liberty ; but finding them ineffectual, it 

 soon, by its calmness and dignity of manners, exhibited a resemblance to the more 

 noble species of Falcon. It stood quiet in its cage, regarding every thing that 

 passed with a steady look : if a person approached very near, it retired gradually, 

 without shewing any alarm. During the first two days of its confinement, our bird 

 refused food altogether, although it was plentifully supplied with fish. After the 

 expiration of this time, it opened its bill when a fish was offered to it ; and although 

 very hungry, it seemed to distrust this unaccustomed mode of taking food. A 

 small fish being now carefully placed in the bill, without any resistance on the 

 part of the bird, was permitted to remain a considerable time, and after much 

 hesitation, was finally swallowed with great caution. By mild treatment the bird 

 gradvially became accvistomed to this mode of taking food, and after several days it 

 had acquu-ed sufficient confidence to take a fish from the hand of any person that 

 offered it. Its usual attitude was with the bUl half opened. The bird appeared 

 to have frequent thirst, and took vip copious draughts of water with its bUl. 



