Indian Birds 
more often than seen. Its note, which must 
be familiar to all who have camped in India, is 
a single hoot, which is repeated monotonously 
at regular intervals of about ten seconds. 
139. Glaucidium radiatum: The Jungle 
Owlet. (F. 1184), (J. 78), (- IL.) 
This owl is very like 135 in appearance, and 
has a peculiar protracted call which must be 
familiar to those who have camped in the U. P. 
It does not appear to occur in the N.W. 
F. P., the Punjab, the Deccan, or Bombay. 
140. Pandion haliattus: The Osprey. (F. 
1189), (J. 40), (- V-) 
This looks very like a kite when seen as it 
perches on a stone, but is distinguishable from 
the kite by the fact that its head and neck are 
white, save for a broad dark band which runs 
from the eye down the side of the neck. 
When seeking for food, however, nothing is 
easier than to identify the osprey. Like the 
pied kingfisher the great bird poises itself in 
the air on quivering wings high above the 
water. Suddenly its wings close and it drops 
down like a falling stone and disappears into 
the water with a huge splash, to emerge a 
second or two later with a fish in its talons. 
In the cold weather the osprey is to be seen 
176 
