Descriptive List of the Common Birds 
whole of the tail white; other parts dark 
grey or brown. Jerdon calls this species the 
Grey-backed Sea-Eagle. This species is very 
seldom seen inland, and is easily distinguished 
from Nos. 148 and 150 by having the lower 
parts white instead of brown. 
Col. Cunningham describes this species as 
“one of the most splendid of large raptorial 
birds, owing to the brilliant contrast of the 
snowy whiteness of the head and under surface, 
with the deep ashy tints of the wings and back. 
There are few more striking objects than one 
of them as he sits on a bare branch overhanging 
a tidal channel, glancing around with his bold 
black eyes, and with all his beautiful plumage 
gleaming in the bright sunlight.” 
This is a very noisy species, especially at the 
breeding season. 
150. Haliaétus albicilla: The White-tailed 
Sea-Eagle. (F. 1225), (+V; half as big again 
as a kite.) 
A large brown bird with a white tail, of which 
the middle feathers are considerably longer 
than the outer ones. By this character and by 
its loud cries may this bird be identified. It is 
only a winter visitor to India—to the Punjab, 
Sind, and the U. P. 
183 
