124 



and nearly as many monkeys, which occupied the roofs of the houses, 

 or enjoyed the shade of the mango and tamarind trees with the 

 peacocks, squirrels, and green pigeons, that lived there as unmo- 

 lested by the Hindoos as if in the midst of a forest. Pelicans, 

 wild-ducks, adjutant-birds, and a variety of water-fowl, animate 

 the beautiful lake, adorned by the nymphea and many aquatic 

 plants. 



The adjutant-bird, or argali, a large bird of the crane species, 

 is sometimes near six feet high, and from twelve to fifteen from 

 the extremity of each wing. The adjutant, one of the ugliest in the 

 Indian ornithology, is as useful as the stork in Holland, or the ibis 

 in Egypt, and equally venerated by the Hindoos; it not only de- 

 stroys serpents and noxious reptiles, but eats up the carrion and 

 offal in towns and villages, which in that climate are extremely 

 offensive. I know not why this bird is called the adjutant; the 

 name of sentinel would perhaps be more appropriate; for, when 

 not in quest of food, they stand motionless, in a pensive attitude, 

 like so many statues. Their pendent red craw, and coarse breast, 

 bare of feathers, but protruding some long dark hairs, have a for- 

 bidding appearance. 



Soon after the English troops were settled at Dhuboy, Rago- 

 bah encamped with his army at Bellapoor, a pass on the river 

 Dahder, at ten miles distance. The commander in chief residing 

 there more than in Dhuboy, my time was divided between the 

 Mahratta camp and the city; especially during a negociation be- 

 tween Ragobah aud Futty Sihng, the Guykwar chieftain of Bro- 

 dera, when all correspondence with Bombay was in cipher. My 

 journeys to Bellapoor were frequent, and in favourable weather 



