74 WANDERINGS OF A 



This bird differs in other respects besides size from the com- 

 mon snipe ; at the same time I have procured solitary indi- 

 viduals of the latter on mountain-streams, in secluded alpine 

 regions, far away from its ordinary haunts. 



' The spotted eagle is plentiful on the lesser ranges, and 

 affects the vicinity of villages and European stations, where 

 it may be seen feeding with kites and vultures, which it 

 delights to torment when on wing. 



The hooded bulbul is one of the most common denizens 

 of jungles, and is easily recognised by its handsome top-knot 

 and loud clanging chirp. It seems strictly Himalayan, and 

 is seldom seen at any distance from the mountains. 



Amid all the grandeur of the Himalayas, it is a most at- 

 tractive sight to the naturalist to behold the vultures and 

 rapacious birds soaring over the vast ravines and around the 

 tops of the mighty mountains. Let him choose a summer 

 evening, with that clear blue sky almost characteristic of 

 the Himalayas, and just as the sun casts his last rays on 

 the snow-clad mountains — ^when the quiet is only broken 

 by the cry of the eagle, the bleat of the goat, or the shrill 

 pipe of the black partridge — then the vultures, kites, and 

 jackdaws may be seen wheeling in vast circles ; some are 

 gliding along, apparently without an effort, others appear 

 suspended motionless in the vast canopy of heaven ; while, 

 careering in his majesty, the lammergeyer gathers up his 

 great wings and stoops downwards, mayhap to rise again 

 and join the medley he has just left, or stretching forth his 

 pinions to their fullest extent, he sails along the mountain- 

 brow to the projecting cliff on which his eyrie stands safe, 

 for there who dare assail him ? 



On the Crol mountain, near Dugshai, on an inaccessible 

 rock, I once saw a nest containing two young lammergeyers ; 



