1841.] Birds in the Museum of the Asiatic Society. 629 



Pondicherry Eagle, Latham's Gen. Hist. I. 147. Shaw's Gen. 

 Zool. VII. 91. 



Haliceetus Ponticerianus. Stephens' continuation of Shaw's Zool. 

 XIII. Part 11. 13. 



" Europeans have given this bird the appellation of Brahminy Kite, 

 which originates probably in having observed that the Hindoos attach 

 superstitious ideas to it. Among the Mahommedans there is a pre- 

 valent notion, that when two armies are about to engage, the appear- 

 ance of one of these birds over either party, prognosticates victory to 

 that side ; thence its Arabic name of (j^jj ^ 



f^ 



" These birds are among the first objects which attract the eye of a 



stranger, for they swarm about the shipping at Calcutta, and are useful 

 in removing any offal which may be thrown overboard ; but though 

 their usual food is carrion, yet they kill fish, and not unfrequently carry 

 off a snipe which the sportsman has levelled." — C. W. Smithes MS. 

 Notes. 



The Brahminy Kite is a handsome bird, of an elegant form, and 

 striking plumage ; the rich red-brown of the back contrasting well 

 with the white of the head, neck, and breast, the black of the quill 

 feathers, and the yellow beak and legs. As Mr. Smith has stated, it 

 is common at Calcutta ; it is met with in the interior of the country, 

 but not so often as at that place. At Garden Reach, the species is 

 often observed in pairs, perching on the stump, or branch of a decayed 

 tree ; and numbers of them are to be seen flying over the Hoogly. 

 It is perhaps possible, that there may be something like migration in 

 the habits of this bird. I have thought that at some periods of the 

 year it is more common than at others : in the cold season it abounds, 

 while in the rains, it is rarely met with. Lieut. Montriou, of the Indian 

 Navy, to whom I am indebted for much information on Indian Zoology, 

 informs me, that it is rarely seen at Saugor in the cold season. 



4. Genus Accipiter. 

 Sp. A. Fringillarius. — Sparrow Hawk. 

 Shot at Garden Reach, and mounted in the Museum. 



5. Accipiter — ? Chippuck Hawk. 



Shot by the Curator at Garden Reach, and mounted in the Museum. 



This bird is called Chippuck by the natives. 



