TYPES OF EGGS. 13 



Kestrils, {Tinnumulus, Erythropws.) — The common kestril (T. 

 alaudarius) is found all over the country in the cold weather, but retires 

 to the mountain ranges to breed. Of the breeding of the other two 

 kestrils {E. cenchris and E. vespertinus) very little is known. The 

 former is said to breed in the Niigiris, and the latter may probably breed 

 in the Himalayas. The eggs are richly coloured. 



Pigmy falcons, {Hierax).—0£ these beautiful little birds very 

 little is known. Only one kind is found in India, in the extreme north- 

 east. They feed on insects and frequent forests. They do not appear 

 to be migratory. 



Hawks, {Astur, LopTiospiza, Micronisus, Accipiter). — The six 

 species known in India are all permanent residents, though in the cold 

 weather some of them wander far from their breeding haunts. Of the 

 besra sparrow hawk [A., virgatus), nothing is*known as to its breeding. 

 They affect wooded localities and often fly high. The eggs of Astur 

 and Mieronism are pale blue or grey unspotted. The sparrow hawks lay 

 boldly blotched eggs. One only {M. badius) breeds in the plains ; the 

 others all breed in mountain ranges and temperate climates. 



Eagles, (Aquila, Neopus). — The golden eagle {^A. clirysaetui) 

 is said to breed in the alpine Himalayas, making its nest on cliffs ; but 

 no eggs have been taken as yet. The black eagle {^N. malaiensis) also 

 breeds on cliffs, the other resident eagles breed on trees. All the true 

 eagles are more or less migratory. The great tawny eagle (A. ful- 

 vescens vera or A. ncevioides) and the barred imperial eagle {A. bifasciafa) 

 leave the country altogether in the breeding season. Eagles frequent 

 open or wooded places, perching on high trees and soaring in search of 

 prey. The nests are conspicuous, and they lay two or sometimes one 

 egg ; white with a few spots or blotches. 



Hawk eagles, {Nisaetus, Limnaetus, Spizaetus). — Bonelli's eagle 

 {N. honellii) frequents open plains as well as wooded hills. The other 

 hawk eagles are confined to forest tracts, and from the nnhealthiness of 

 the woods at the breeding time, but few of their nests are taken. They 

 perch in trees with thick foliage and keep a good deal out of sight. They 

 have a loud rather musical call which often leads to their detection. 

 Their eggs generally two in number are sparingly spotted or streaked. 

 They are partially migratory, but probably all breed within Indian limits. 



Serpent eagles, iCircaetus, SpUomis).. — The short- toed eagle 

 (C. gallicus) is a permanent resident and frequents dry open plains, perch- 



