1839] of the Peninsula of India. 79 



25. — C. riifus, Briss. — C. variegatus, Sykes' adult bird. — Marsh-Harrier. 

 — Kootur, H. 

 I venture to bring these synonymes together on the authority of Gould, 

 as mentioned in a late volume of the Naturalist's Library on British 

 Birds. The marsh-harrier is generally spread throughout India, but is 

 not nearly so common as either of the former species. It prefers hunting 

 over rivers, tanks, marshes and paddy fields, but also is frequently seen 

 skimming over the dry grain fields ; it feeds on various water insects, 

 fish, frogs, mice and small birds. The hides of the adult bird are yel- 

 low, of those in imperfect plumage, dark brown. Length of one specimen 

 2U inches, wing, 16, tail, 9, tarsus, 3- T \ths, mid. toe, 2|. 



26. — C. Melanohucus. — Blade and While Harrier. 



Though I have not yet procured a specimen of this rare Harrier, I have 

 seen it occasionally both in the Carnatic and West Coast, and it is includ- 

 ed in Mr. Elliot's catalogue of the birds in the Southern Mahratta 

 country, from which I take the following, measurements: — Length 17 — 

 18 inches ; tarsi 2- T 9 ^ths, weak ; mid. toe H ; bill and cere black ; 

 legs yellow ; wings l- T 7 -ths, shorter than tail. 



Sub Family FALCONING, True Falcon. 



Genus FALCON.— Auct. Falcon. 



27. — F. peregrtnus, Peregrine Falcon— Bhyree, H. — the male being the 

 Bhyree bucha. 



It is surprising that the Peregrine falcon has not hitherto been re- 

 corded as an inhabitant of India, as it is universally spread and much 

 used in Falconry by the natives. No mention of its having been found 

 here is made in « Yarrell's British Birds,' nor in Sir W. Jardine's later 

 work, though in the latter it is stated ' we think it much more than pro- 

 bable that it may also be found in the Alpine regions of India.' The Bhy- 

 ree is found even in the hottest parts of the peninsula. I obtained one 

 alive at Trichinopoly which was said to have fallen into a tank. Many 

 are yearly captured about Raronad and also in Ihe Northern Circars. 

 I shot a specimen on some rocks, in the sea of Tellicherry, at the end of 



