MILVIN^. 109 



In a further stage the brown above becomes darker and more 

 uniform, and the lower parts assume a pale rufous brown tinge, 

 with the central streak more or less developed, according as it 

 was in the yoimg bird, and the incomplete tail bands are more 

 clouded. The adult has the plumage above rich brown, the head 

 and lores generally, but not always, suffused with ashy grey, 

 and the lower parts uniform darkish brown, with the dark streak 

 almost obliterated ; the tail is brownish ashy, faintly clouded with 

 dusky, and with two wide dark black bars, and a third, almost 

 concealed, by the upper tail coverts ; the terminal bar is tipped 

 white or grayish. 



In most birds in a transition state the feathers of the lower 

 parts are banded brown and white, especially on the lower 

 abdomen, thigh coverts, &c., and some of these feathers are 

 generally to be found at all ages. 



Length, male, 23 to 24 inches ; wing 16^; tail 9. Female, 25 

 to 26 inches ; wing 17^ to 18 ; tail 10 to 12 inches; tarsus 1-^ to 

 If ; mid-toe and claw 3. Bill at gape 1^; extent 4^ feet; weight 

 21b. lOoz. 



The wings reach to about 3 inches from the end of the tail. 

 The gape is short, only reaching to the anterior part of the eye. 



I was at one time under the impression that there were two 

 species of honey buzzard found in India, and that the P. JElliotti, 

 named after specimens sent home by Mr. Walter Elliot, was well 

 founded. Examination of a large series of specimens now 

 leads me to conclude, with Mr. Blyth, that they are all referable 

 to one species; but I am still inclined to think that specimens from 

 Southern India are somewhat different in their mode of coloration, 

 and perhaps smaller slightly than those from the North. Of course, 

 the white color of the lower plumage, one of the distinctive 

 characters mentioned by Mr. Elliot, in a note to my Catalogue of 

 Birds, is simply a mark of nonage. 



The honey buzzard is found throughout India in forests and 

 well-wooded districts, from the level of the sea to the height of 

 8,000 feet. It extends through Burmah to Malayana, feeding 

 by preference, like its sole congener in Europe, on honey, and the 



