246 
BIRDS. (Caar. VII. 
northern coasts and the salt lakes of the eastern pro- 
vinces, particularly when the receding tide leaves bare 
an expanse of beach, over which it hunts, in company 
with the fishing eagle!, sacred to Siva. Unlike its 
companions, however, the sea eagle rejects garbage for 
living prey, and especially for the sea snakes which 
abound on the northern coasts. These it seizes by 
descending with its wings half closed, and, suddenly 
darting down its talons, it soars aloft again with its 
writhing victim.? 
Hawks.—The beautiful Peregrine Falcon? is rare, 
but the Kestrel* is found almost universally ; and the 
bold and daring Goshawk® wherever wild crags and pre- 
cipices afford safe breeding places. In the district of 
Anarajapoora, where it is trained for hawking, it is 
usual, in lieu of a hood, to darken its eyes by means 
of a silken thread passed through holes in the eyelids. 
The ignoble birds of prey, the Kites®, keep close by the 
shore, and hover round the returning boats of the fisher- 
men to feast on the fry rejected from their nets. 
Owls. — Of the nocturnal accipitres the most remark- 
able is the brown owl, which, from its hideous yell, has 
acquired the name of the “ Devil-Bird.”7 The Singha- 
1 Haliastur Indus, Bodd. 
2 E. L. Layard. Europeans have 
given this bird the name of the 
“ Brahminy Kite,” probably from 
observing the superstitious feeling 
of the natives regarding it, who 
believe that when two armies are 
about to engage, its appearance 
prognosticates victory to the party 
over whom it hovers. 
3 Falco peregrinus, Linn. 
* Tinnunculus alaudarius, Briss. 
5 Astur trivirgatus, Temm. 
6 Milvus govinda, Sykes. Dr. 
Hamilton Buchanan remarks that 
when gorged this bird delights to 
sit on the entablature of buildings, 
exposing its back to the hottest 
rays of the sun, placing its breast 
against the wall, and stretching 
out its wings exactly as the Egyptian 
Hawk is represented on the monu- 
ments. 
7 Syrnium Indranee, Sykes. Mr. 
Blyth writes to me from Caleutta 
that there are some doubts about 
this bird. There would appear to 
be three or four distinguishable. 
