The Common Birds of the Nilgiris 



brown cross-bars. In young birds the breast 

 is white with dark drops ; in older birds the 

 drops become replaced by wavy rust-coloured 

 cross-bars. The eye is bright yellow, as is the 

 cere or base of the beak. The crested gos- 

 hawk may be described in brief as a large 

 shikra with a crest. 



The kestrel is the bird known in England as 

 the windhover, on account of its habit of hover- 

 ing in mid -air on rapidly-vibrating wings 

 before pouncing on the lizard or other small 

 fry, for which it is ever on the watch. This 

 species is about the same size as the shikra. 

 The head, neck, and tail are grey ; the back 

 and wings are dull red. The lower parts are 

 cream-coloured, spotted with brown. 



THE COLUMBID^ OR DOVE FAMILY 



Jerdon's imperial pigeon (Ducula cufrea) is 

 a beautiful bird 17 inches long, of which the 

 tail accounts for 7 inches. The prevailing hue 

 of this pigeon is " grey. The head, breast, 

 abdomen, and neck are suffused with lilac. 

 The back and wings are olive brown. The 

 legs are dull lake red, as is the bill, except the 

 tip, which is blue. This fine bird is confined 



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