170 FALCONID^. 



ruary, 1869. The nest was situated in a large tulip-tree, about 

 35 feet from the ground. It was built of sticks, stubble, weeds, 

 and coarse grasses, and was about 2| to 3 feet in diameter. It 

 contained two young birds. The villagers stated that the old 

 birds arrived every year about November. The probable age of 

 the young was four or five weeks ; they were unable to fly, though 

 one was pushed outside the nest. I subjoin the dimensions and a 

 brief description of one of these young birds which I took from 

 the nest. Later, while watching the tree through a glass from a 

 distance of some 150 yards, I saw one of the old birds arrive with 

 a fish, I should think nearly 2 lbs. in weight, in its claws." 



My friend, Mr. Thompson, writes to me from G-urhwal that 

 these birds " breed from March to May. The nest, which is a 

 large structure of small sticks and twigs loosely put together, is 

 usually placed in a tree at a convenient distance from the water, 

 and at no great height from the ground. I have found their nests 

 on the Kossilla Eiver, at Oomta Dabee, in the Patlee Doon, on the 

 Eamgunga Eiver ; Kotree Doon on the 8unnai River ; and lastly 

 above Hurdwar on the Eiver Ganges. They lay from -two to 

 three large white eggs, smaller than those of Haliaetus leucoryphus. 

 Three appears to be the normal number of their eggs. During 

 the breeding-season the birds utter at intervals a loud, yet 

 plaintive cry, especially whenever one of them approaches the nest 

 whilst the other is sitting on it. The male during this time is 

 assiduous in his attentions, and the meeting of the pair on his 

 return from fishing-excursions always appears to call forth fresh 

 cries. About the middle of April the eggs are laid, and are 

 hatched during the following month. These birds are generally 

 distributed over the rivers and larger streams of the Sub-Hima- 

 layas, remaining on them throughout the year." 



The only egg I now possess (which I owe to Major Cock) is a 

 broad and very perfect oval in shape. In texture it is rough and 

 pitted, but it nevertheless has a slight gloss. It is a perfectly 

 unspotted egg, and though in places somewhat soiled aud dis- 

 coloured, must, when fresh, have been a nearly pure milk-white. 

 Held up against the light, the shell is even a darker green than 

 that of H. leucoryphus ; in fact, it is almost black. Whether this 

 character is general, or pecuhar to the single specimen I now 

 possess, I cannot of course decide. I have had many of these 

 eggs in former years ; but I did not then, unfortunately, collect 

 specimens. 



Five eggs, of which I have recorded measurements, varied from 

 2-72 to 2-8 inches in length, and from 2-1 to 2-15 in breadth. 



Haliastur Indus (Bodd.). The Brahminy Kite. 



Haliastur Indus (Bodd.), Jerd. B. Ind. i, p. 101 ; Hume, Rough 

 Draft N. Sj' E. no. 55. 



The Brahminy Kite lays from January to the early part of 



