306 cassell's book of birds. 



principally upon small birds, such as Larks, Sparrows, or Water Wagtails, and will eat field mice. The 

 eyrie of the Turumdi is built at the summit of a lofty tree, and usually contains four eggs of a yellowish 

 brown colour, sprinkled with brown spots. The young leave the nest at the end of March or 

 beginning ot April. This species is sometimes tamed by the Hindoos, and employed in the pursuit of 

 Quails, Partridges, and similar birds. We have known instances in which they have been trained by 

 their masters to hunt in parties. 



THE TREE FALCON. 



The Tree Falcon (Hypotriorchis subbutco) is but little inferior to those we have described, 

 either in its powers or the nobility of its appearance. The members of the family of which this bird is 

 the type are smaller than the Falcons we have mentioned, and are distinguished by their elongated 

 bodies, comparatively long and sickle-shaped wings, which extend as far as, or in some instances 

 beyond, the extremity of the tail. The Tree Falcon is twelve inches long, and thirty broad ; the wing 

 measures nine and a half, and the tail nine inches ; the female is one inch and a half longer, and from 

 two to three inches broader than her mate. The entire upper portion of the body is blueish black, the 

 head of a greyish shade ; the nape is spotted with white, the quills black, bordered with reddish 

 yellow, and marked upon the inner web with from five to nine reddish irregularly oval patches. The 

 tail-feathers are slate colour above, grey beneath, and ornamented on the inner web with eight 

 irregular reddish-yellow spots, which form a kind of border ; the two middle feathers are without these 

 spots. The low r er part of the body is white or yellowish white, marked from the head downwards with 

 longitudinal black streaks ; the wings and lower tail-covers are beautiful rust red ; the beard is very 

 plainly indicated ; the eye is dark brown, the naked ring by which the latter is surrounded, the cere, 

 and feet are yellow ; the beak is dark blue at its tip, and of a lighter shade towards its base. In the 

 plumage of the young birds the blueish-black feathers that cover the back are bordered with reddish 

 yellow; the light spot upon the nape is larger than in the adult, and of a yellow colour ; the lower 

 part of the body whitish yellow, marked with long black streaks ; the wings, lower wing-covers, and 

 clothing of the legs are yellowish, the feathers of which the latter are formed having black shafts. 



This species inhabits the whole continent of Europe and the cooler portions of Asia ; it also 

 visits India in large numbers during the winter, but is rarely seen in Northern Africa. Eversmann 

 tells us that it is found in great numbers in the country near the Ural Mountains. In the central 

 portion of our continent it usually makes its home amongst the trees of the open country, rarely visiting 

 the forests, except during the course of its migrations ; in these countries it is a summer guest, leaving 

 about September or October, and returning in April. The flight of the Tree Falcon is extremely rapid, 

 and bears some resemblance to that of the Swallow ; the wings are held somewhat arched, and their 

 stroke is short and quick; its evolutions through the air are often extremely beautiful, and are 

 characterised by light and graceful gyrations as it rises aloft or sinks rapidly to the ground. 

 The Tree Falcon, as its name suggests, usually prefers to perch upon trees, and but rarely 

 seeks the ground, except when engaged in devouring its prey. The migratory season com- 

 mences in autumn, and during their journeyings the pairs keep together with the utmost constancy, 

 in spite of the many fights and squabbles that arise amongst the members of the party. The voice of 

 this bird is clear and not unpleasing, though it consists but of a single note. In its habits it is 

 extremely intelligent, and so very shy and cautious that it only ventures to yield to sleep when the 

 darkness of night has fully closed in. 



Field Larks appear to be the favourite food of the Tree Falcon, though it by no means objects to 

 other birds — indeed, it is regarded as a formidable enemy even by the most rapid of the Swallow tribe. 

 Naumann tells us that an instance came under his pwn observation in which a Swallow was so terrified 



