54 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



at the partridge, which it seizes in general with great ease and 

 certainty ; also occasionally at quails, snipes, and doves. 'J'he 

 male or dhoti, is but seldom trained, and is then flown at spar- 

 rows, brahminy mynas f Pastor pagodammj , and other small birds. 



From the concurrent testimony of all falconers in India, there is 

 another species of Sparrow-hawk, well known as the Kiiandesra, 

 occasionally found in certain parts of the country. Among other 

 localities pointed out to me, as occasionally resorted to by this 

 hawk, is the tract of jungly country in South Arcot and Chiugleput, 

 bordering on Tanjore and Trichinopoly. Here this hawk has been 

 captured Avithin the last twenty years, according to my informants; 

 but I was unable to procure one, in 1843, when 1 sent my Meer 

 Sliikar there for that purpose. It is stated to be a migratory bird, 

 only found occasionally. It is known to the Telugu Meer shi- 

 kars, as Ka7isara-pu-dega. It is very probably Blyth's A. nisoides, 

 Cat. 95., J. A. S., XVI., 727., which diiFers from A. Nisus in its 

 smaller size, in the throat being streakless white, except a narrow 

 median line, and the usual lateral lines, Avhieh, however, are very 

 inconspicuous. Length of wing 7^ inches ; tail 5^. 



It may, however, be Micronisus soloensis, said by some writers to 

 have been taken on the Coats of Coromandel. — 



Other species of Sparrow-hawk are found all over the world. 



Melierax is an African type, with the tarsus very long and 

 reticulated, with a series of larger scales in front, and is certainly 

 an aberrant form. The male of the best known species, M. 

 musicus, is said, but probably erroneously, to sing. 



Sub-Fara. Aquiline.— Eagles. 



Bill strong, more or less lengthened, straight at first, curved 

 towards the point ; wings moderate or long, 4th quill usually the 

 longest; tall moderate or rather long; tarsus rather long, stout, 

 bare, or feathered ; toes moderate, strong ; claws well curved. Of 

 large size and robust make. 



The Eagles are the largest of all the Falconidas, and contain 

 within themselves several distinct types, so that it is difficult to 

 give general characteristics of the whole family. As a whole, they 



