BIRDS OF PREY. 



30S 



north latitude, exclusively frequenting date palms, the broad, fan-like leaves of which form a capital 

 foundation on which to build their eyries. Only on one occasion have we ever seen them on any 

 other tree, but Heuglin tells us that in Central Africa they are also found amongst the Dhuleb palms. 

 A solitary tree of this description is sufficient to induce a couple to settle upon it, and from this lofty 

 and commanding eminence they descend to capture such Weaver Birds, or other small feathered 

 victims, as approach them, darting upon them with a velocity and dexterity that, in our opinion, will 



THE TREE FALCON (Hypotriorchis siMuteo). 



bear comparison with the powers of flight possessed by any of their congeners. Large birds they 

 seldom or never attack, and will live not only at peace with them, but actually allow one kind, 

 the Guinea Pigeon (Stictoenas Guinea), to build upon the same branch. We never succeeded in our 

 endeavours to inspect one of their eyries closely, as the Dhuleb palm is quite inaccessible to climbers. 

 We shall confine ourselves to Jerdon's description of the Turumdi. This bird is found throughout 

 the whole of India, but is most numerous in the open country, where it prefers the vicinity of man, 

 and rather avoids than seeks the recesses of the woods and forests. It hunts in pairs, and lives 

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