NATURALIST IN INDIA. 49 



stooping on fisli in the river, or hovering _ over the shallows. 

 The head, neck, and irides are white — ^the rest of the body- 

 chestnut. The Luzonian (Motacilla luzoniensis) and Dukhun 

 wagtails (J£ dukhuriensis), and common sandpiper (Actitis 

 hypoleucus), are constantly seen on the river-bank. 



Less frequently may be observed the greater and lesser 

 white-rumped sandpipers {Totanus glottis and stagnatilia). 

 Sand-martins (HiruTido ri]paria) build their nests in holes on 

 the river-bank, which are sometimes riddled in this manner. 

 Occasionally the rose-ringed parrakeet (Palceornis torquatus) 

 takes possession of one of these nests for its own use, and is 

 accused by the natives of robbing them and eating the eggs, 

 which, however, seems doubtful. 



One of the most striking birds to be seen on the Indus is 

 the white-headed eagle {Raliaetus macei) ; although closely 

 allied to the bald eagle of America, the two species differ in 

 many particulars. The Eastern eagle is usually seen perched 

 on the stump of a tree, numbers of which are borne down by 

 the annual inundations, and as the river subsides appear 

 above water like the snags of the Mississippi Fish are its 

 chief, but not exclusive subsistence, as we many times saw 

 them, during our journey, feasting with jackdaws and kites 

 on the refuse of slaughtered sheep and oxen. The plumage 

 of this eagle is subject to considerable variation — in reference 

 to the young and adult bird. 



Pelicans (Pelicanus javanicui) in pairs and in flocks were 

 observed daily on the river, sailing leisurely down some nar- 

 row channel, their great bills resting on their crooked necks, 

 or, scared at our approach, sought a safer retreat among the 

 shallows and sandbanks far ahead. Their flight is in general 

 heavy and laborious. In many the bill is bright orange — in 

 some of a leaden-gray colour, varying with age. The two 



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