1838.] Notice of the Himalayan Vulture Eagle. 23 



The outer feather is therefore 7 inches shorter than the central one. 

 The first quill of the wings is 3 T 2 3 inches less than the 2nd. 

 „ second „ „ T *„ inch less than the 3rd. 



s9 third „ „ 1 inch longer than the 4th. 



The third quill is therefore the longest, and exceeds the first by 

 3^ inches. 



Head clothed with short and somewhat down-like whitish feathers, 

 with a black line of strong hairs arising from the base of the upper 

 mandible running over each eye, and turning round to the back part of 

 the head, but not joining. A short black stripe or moustache running 

 backwards from the gape, covering the ears, which are on a line with 

 the mouth. Nostrils and cere concealed beneath strong black bristles, 

 directed forwards. Chin with a bunch of black bristles hanging down 

 like a beard ; from thence, the throat, neck, breast, belly, vent and thighs 

 are ferruginous or pale orange, darkest on the chin and throat, palest 

 on the vent and thighs ; upper half of the back part of the neck, buff or 

 very pale orange; lower half of the same, deep black, as also the back 

 and rump, each feather with a narrow white shaft : upper smaller wing 

 coverts black, with a buff or ferruginous stripe down the shaft, ending in 

 a somewhat triangular spot of the same color; under wing coverts the 

 same. From the black on the hind part of. the neck, across the orange 

 feathers of the breast, runs a band of deep brown or black, forming a 

 well marked collar or gorget. Large wing coverts above, all the quills 

 of the wings and tail, ashy black with darker edges, the shafts white. 

 Tail of twelve feathers and wedged. Bill horn-colored ; legs clothed to 

 the toes with pale ferruginous feathers; toes bluish lead color; claws 

 black, strong and curved. Under side of the wings pale cinereous, the 

 ends of the quills blackish. 



This bird was shot at Tootoo in September 1836, about 5 marches 

 from Simla, and was in full plumage, the moult taking place in May 

 and June. 



This description will be found generally applicable to all adult birds, 

 with the exception of the length and breadth, in which there is great 

 variety. 



No. 2. Adult and moulting; plumage in all respects agreeing with 

 the last. 



Ft. 

 Length from tip of bill to end of tail, ... 3 



Expanse of *vings, ... 8 



Length of bill, ... 



Basal height, ... 



Basal breadth, ... o 



Point falling below the under mandible, ... 

 The third quill of the wings longest, 



in. 

 7 

 6 

 4 





