Illustrations of Indian Ornithology ; 

 4th. — Nis^TUS CRISTATELLUS, Elliot — Madias Jotunal of Literature and Science, No. 25. 



Syn. — Falco. cristatellus, Tern. 



Judging from analogy witli other species of this genus what is apparent- 

 ly the young state of this bird is tluH described by Jardine. Above and occi- 

 pital crest amber brown with pale margins to each feather, forehead white, head 

 and nape ycUowish browTi, mixed with amber brown. Tidl above bro\m, Avith seven 

 narrow black bars, and wliite tip. Beneath, feathers of tarsi, and ridge of the 

 wings white. 



Apparently the second plumage is thus described by Lesson. 



Above bro^A-n tinted with rnfous — head and neck rufous streaked •with bro'wn, 

 beneath wliite streaked with bright rufous, deejiening in the flanks, inferior coverts and 

 legs. Tail brownish rayed with dark brown. 



A stUl more advanced age (Mr. Elliot's specimen) has the plumage above and 

 occipital crest, fine deep brown, the latter nearly black, quills banded with dark b^o^vn. 

 Tail with five bands. Beneath white, each feather with a large blackish brown drop, which 

 occujiies nearly the whole feather, flanks and lower part of abdomen nearly all brown. 

 Tarsal feathers of a fawn tinge, spotted with brown. 



Cere and orbits dark livid or plumbeous. Length, of male 24 inches — wing IG — • 

 tail ll/o — bill to gape Ixo — tarsus 4. 



The specimen described by Jardine was said to have been taken on the coast of 

 England. M. Lesson's specimen was from Ceylon, and Mr. Elliot's was procured at the 

 foot of the Eastern Ghauts inland from Nellore. I may add that the description of this 

 latter specimen has lieon taken partly from ^Ir. Elliot's, and partly from a drawing which 

 that gentleman had taken of liis specimen. 



In comparmg the descriptions of this bird with those of Nistctus nioeus, 

 it is impossible I think to avoid the sujiposition that they are identical. They arc 

 about the same size and relative: dimensions. The description of the young state of 

 each is nearly identical, and the more advanced state as described by l\Ir. Blyth of 

 N. 71 i feus only differ from that of Mr. Elliot's specimen in such a degree, as we 

 should expect in a bird of one less moult. The cere of both is described as being livid. 

 It is represented very short in Mr. Elliot's drawing thus further corresponding with 

 Ulceus, and lastly the geographical distribution of niveus being comparatively so extensive. 



