46G 



Variety: female (figs. 4, 5) has (more than the other varieties) 

 two indistinct black spots on the upper side of the anterior wing. 

 On the under side there are three such spots (two only, dotted with 

 light blue). On the under side of the posterior wing there is a fifth 

 black spot. 



Exp. d 1 3^ inches, $ 3-^ inches. 



Hab. New Guinea. 



Greatly as the four examples of the plate differ from each other, 

 I cannot separate them, except in colour ; their chief variation 

 seems to consist in the differing distance of the eye-like spots from 

 the outer margin. This may be noticed also in the genus Drusilla, 

 in which the beautiful large eyes of the posterior wing vary much in 

 their relative distance from the outer margin. 



G. Notes on the Habits, Haunts, etc. of some of the Birds 

 of India*. By A. Leith Adams, M.B., Surgeon 22nd 

 Regiment. Communicated by Messrs. T. J. & F. Moore. 



The Vulture tribe is very generally distributed over India, and yet 

 the traveller may journey over a vast extent of that country and 

 meet with scarcely a single species ; for during the greater part of 

 the day they mount to high elevations and soar in great circles, sel- 

 dom remaining constant in any locality. They prefer the neighbour- 

 hood of towns or along the highways, often congregating in flocks ; 

 and it is not uncommon to see different species together. We have 

 seen them even in the centre of the Scinde deserts ; in fact no si- 

 tuation is without its species, for with few exceptions they abound 

 all over Asia. 



I have devoted much attention to the question whether these 

 birds discover their food by smell or sight ; and after many prac- 

 tical observations I am convinced it is by sight alone they are en- 

 abled to find out their prey. In illustration of this fact, I may ad- 

 duce the following as an occurrence familiar to every Himalayan 

 sportsman. After a bear or other large animal is killed, the hunter 

 soon finds himself surrounded by rapacious birds, where none were 

 seen before ; they are observed dashing clown the glens, and sailing 

 in circles around his quarry. Some sweep within a few yards of 

 him. Others are soaring at higher elevations, and even at such 

 vast altitudes that the huge Bearded Vulture appears only as a small 

 speck in the deep blue heavens ; but gradually it becomes more 

 distinct as its wide gyrations increase. It may gather itself up and 

 close its wings, or dash in one fell swoop hundreds of feet, and the 



* Throughout the following paper I have given only the result of careful exa- 

 mination and experience. No species is named whose identity I have not con- 

 firmed ; such as are doubtful will be left unnamed and a description given, taken 

 shortly after death. The nomenclature followed is with little variation that of 

 Blvth's catalogue. — A. L. A. 



