OTIDHXffi. 623 



walking or running it raises its tail, as is represented on the 

 drawing, the lateral feathers diverging downwards, whilst those of 

 the centre are the most elevated, as is seen in domestic fowls, &c., 

 forming what Swainson calls an erect or compressed tail. The 

 chief food of the Florikin is grasshoppers. I have found also 

 blister beetles, (Mylabris) Scarabcei, centipedes, and even small 

 lizards. When flushed suddenly it utters a kind of sharp ' quirk,' 

 or note of alarm, and it is said also to have a feeble plaintive 

 chirp or piping note, when running or feeding. Its flesh is very 

 delicate, and of excellent flavour, and it is the most esteemed here, 

 of all the game birds. Its pursuit is consequently a favorite sport, 

 and from the open nature of the ground it frequents, it is well 

 adapted for being hawked. I have killed it occasionally with the 

 Luggur, but generally with the Shaheen, and have already given 

 an account of the manner of hunting it. Should the Shaheen, 

 miss her first stoop, I have seen the Florikin accelerate its speed so 

 greatly, that the falcon was unable to come up with it ao-ain under 

 600 yards or so. I have seen one struck dead by the Wokhab, 

 Aquila Vindhiana ; I had slipped a Luggur at it, which was in 

 hot pursuit, though at some little distance behind, when two of 

 these Eagles came down from a vast height, and joined in the 

 chase. One of them made a headlong swoop at it, which the 

 Florikin most skilfully avoided, only however to fall a victim to 

 the talons of the other, which stooped almost immediately after its 

 confederate, and dashed the poor bird lifeless to the ground. It 

 had not, however, time to pick it up, for I rode up, and the Eagles 

 soared off most unwillingly, and circled in the air long above 

 me. The Florikin had its back laid open the whole length."* 



A few birds appear to breed in all parts of Southern India, 

 from July to November, for I have put the hen bird off her nest 

 in August in the Deccan, and in October near Trichinopoly ; and 

 have heard of the hen having been found incubating still later, up 

 to January indeed ; but the majority breed, in Guzerat, Malwa 

 and Southern Rajpootana, from July to September. I have 

 found the cock-bird commencing to assume the black plumage at 



* Jerdon's 111. Inil. Orn, 1 c. 



