Illustrations of Indian Ornilhology ; 



have placed it as a distinct species for the present, till specimens have been compared ^\ ith 

 those named Ace. minutus in European collections, unless the present figure and description 

 be sufficient to guide Naturalists at Home in deciding the point. I think it very probable 

 th at the Ace. Dussumierii of Sykes' Catalogue be no other than this species, as it agrees in 

 size, whilst his Ace. Dukhunensis is apparently the F. Dussiimierii of Temniinck. 



The Besra is a comparatively rare Hawk, though weU. knoAvn, by name at least, to 

 every native who takes an interest in lia\\ king. Its permanent resorts are the large and lofty 

 forests of Western India, and it is only after the breeding season is over, about July, that a 

 few bii-ds, usually young ones, straggle to various portions of the Eastern parts of the Peninsula, 

 and there only to districts more than usually wooded or jungly. Here they remain a few 

 months, and retiun again to the Western forests for the purpose of breeding. Mr. Elliot says 

 that " he has only met with it in the Soonda jungles (in Canara) where it is taken young by 

 a caste called Halapyks, and sold to falconers fi-om Hyderabad." I have reason to believe that 

 several individuals are annually captured on certain districts on the Eastern coast, where 

 from time immemorial they have been known to resort to on migrating from the Western coast. 



The Besra and other short winged Hawks, as well as occasionally the Luggur and 

 some of the Falcons, are usually caught by what is called among Falconers the Do Guz. 

 This is a small thin net from four to five feet long, and about tlaree feet broad, stained of a 

 dark colour, and fixed between tAVo thin pieces of bamboo, by a cord on which it runs. The 

 bamboos are fixed lightly in the ground, and a living bird is picketed about the middle of 

 the net and not quite a foot distant from it. The Hawk makes a dash at the bird, which it 

 sees struggling at its tether, and in the keenness of its rush, either not observing the net 

 from its dark colour, or not heeding it, dashes into it, the two side sticks give way, and the 

 net folds round the bird so effectually as to keep it almost from fluttering. 



The Besra is said to be somewhat more difficult to train than most of the Hawks, 

 and it is a delicate bird, and requires great care and attention, especially during the hot 

 season. It is highly esteemed among Native Falconers, and sells for a considerable price. 

 It is very speedy, and particularly active and clever in jungle, which its habits, as a denizen 

 of the forests in its wild state, peculiarly fit it for. It is chiefly flo^vn at the partridge, which 

 it seizes in general with great ease and certainty ; also occasionally at quails, snipes and doves. 

 The male or dhotee is but seldom trained and is then flown at sparrows, braliminy mynas, 

 (pastor pa^odarumj and other small birds. I shall now give a description of this Hawk. 



Male, \st year. — Plumage above clear wood or hair brown, darkest on the head — 



