470 



Indian Raptores. It is found in Scinde, but not common. It is 

 abundant in tbe Deccan, Bengal, Punjab and Valley of Cashmere, 

 but does not travel far into the interior of the Himalayas. Its habits 

 are strictly domestic, frequenting towns and camps, where it lives 

 on almost every description of offal and putridity. Its flight is un- 

 steady and slow ; and when on the ground, it walks with head erect, 

 lifting the legs high, much after the manner of crows. The Indian 

 authorities fully appreciate the value of its services ; for in many 

 districts of Bengal there is a penalty for shooting this species and 

 the Govind Kite. Egyptian Vultures regularly repair to the Euro- 

 pean barracks during meals, and may be seen feeding in hundreds on 

 the ground, and the Govind Kites darting clown and bearing away 

 in their talons the bone which the Egyptian Vulture is busily 

 cleaning, the Kite devouring the flesh as it sails away. The two 

 species never quarrel, and may be seen often perched together. Du- 

 ring the march, they accompany regiments for hundreds of miles ; 

 and regularly at daybreak, as the camp is being formed, these vul- 

 tures may be seen in flocks approaching from the direction of the 

 last encamping-ground. This remark applies likewise to Govind 

 Kites and Indian Jackdaws (Corvus splendens). 



The Egyptian Vulture is the smallest of its tribe found in India. 

 The total length does not exceed 2 feet 2 inches, and the size is about 

 that of the Raven. The iris is yellow *, The shades of plumage 

 are consequent on age ; and it appears the adult garb is not ob- 

 tained until the third year. 



Besides the species above mentioned, the Vultur kolbii may be 

 reckoned as an occasional visitor on the interior range of the Western 

 Himalayas ; and as the Griffin Vulture has been shot in Persia, I see 

 no reason why that species likewise may not be found on the more 

 western ranges, Hindoo Koh, &c. 



6. Aquila chrysaetos, Linn. 

 Golden Eagle. 



I shot a young bird (Ring-tailed Eagle) on the Chor Mountain, 

 near Simla, with a Kalij Pheasant {Lophopliorus albo-cristatus) 

 in its talons. The species frequents the Western Himalayas, but is 

 not common. 



7. Aquila bifasciata (Gray). 



Is common around Poonah, in the Deccan. I have seen them 

 roosting on the tops of houses ; they feed at times on carrion. 



8. Aquila n/evia (Gmel.). 

 Spotted Eagle. 



Is plentiful on the Western Himalayas, and less common in the 

 Punjab. Its flight is rapid and strong. With Kites it is often 

 seen feeding on offal in the Hill Stations near Simla. 



* Some authors state the iris to be brown ; true as regards the young bird 

 only. 



