Niscettis grandis. 



of the back, by the less development of the mesial markings of the feathers of the lower 

 plumage, and by the paler tint of the tibial and tarsal plumes. 



At all ages the feathers of the nape are margined with whitish (or pale brown 

 in some) and their bases are conspicuously white. Bill plumbeous, black at tip — cere and 

 feet pale greenish yeUow — irides bright gamboge yellow. Dimensions — Length of a male 

 26 to 27 inches — wing from flexiu-e 17| to 18 inches — tail 11 — bill straight to gape 2 — 

 tarstis 3|— centre digit S^V — ^'^- claw 1-^^,,. Length of female 29 to 30 inches — wing 20^ 

 —tail 12i to 13. 



The large Hawk-Eagle is dispersed over the whole continent of India from the 

 Himalayas to Cape Comoriu, but cannot be said to be an abimdant species, though few dis- 

 tricts are not occasionally frequented or visited by a pair of them. It chiefly affects the 

 more wooded and jungly districts, and especially the neighboiu-hood of hills and mountain 

 ranges. It is much on the wing, sailing at a great height; and making its appearance at 

 certain spots in the district it frequents always about the same hour. It may often be seen 

 seated on the siunmit of a lofty tree, or on some overhanging rock. I have observed it 

 chiefly on the Neilgherries, along the range of western and northern ghauts ; also though 

 more sparingly in the bare Deccan and Carnatic. The individual fi;om which the present 

 drawing was taken was killed in Guindy park at Madras. 



It preys by preference on various kuids of game — hares, jungle fowl, spur fowl 

 and partridges, and even on pea fowl — also on ducks, herons and other water fowl, and 

 according to the testimony of Sliikarees it has been known to strike down the douk, f Tan- 

 talus leucocephalus . J Most native Falconers too have stories to relate of its having carried 

 off a favorite hawk. On one occasion on the Neilgherries, I observed it stoop successively 

 at a spiu"-fowl, hare, and pea-fowl, each time unsuccessfully however, owing to the thick- 

 ness of the jungle. A pair were also wont to resort to a village at the liHls and carry off 

 fowls. Mr. Elliot too mentions " that he once saw a pair of them nearly surprise a pea- 

 cock, pouncing on hiui on the ground." Great havoc was connnitted among several pigeon- 

 houses on the Neilgherries by a pair of these Eagles, and indeed I heard that one or tn^o 

 were completely devastated by them. The manner in which they captured the pigeons was 

 described to me by two or thi'ee eye witnesses to be as follows : — On the pigeons taking flight, 

 one of the Eagles pounced down fi-oni a vast height on the flock, but directing its swoop 

 rather under the pigeons, than directly at them. Its mate watching the moment wheCj 

 alarmed by the first swoop the pigeons rise in confusion, pounces unerringly on one of them 

 and carries it off. The other Eagle having risen again eilso makes another stoop which is 



