1847.] Notes on the Ornithology of Cauda ha r. 



Rough Notes on the Ornithology of Candahar and its neighbourhood. 

 By Capt. Thos. IIutton. 



[With some Additional Information on the Birds of Afghanistan, — 

 By E. Blyth, Curator of the Asiatic Society, fyc. $c] 



1. Falco [peregrinus, L, Young male].* 



2. F. [subbuteo, Lin.] These birds are found around Candahar, 

 but did not seem to be common. 



3. F. resalon, Lin. The Merlin occurs also at Candahar. 



4. F. tinnunculus, (L.) The Kestrel. (The "yellow iris" was so 

 recorded on the wrapper of the male specimen when it came from 

 Afghanistan, but whether upon my own authority, or that of some 

 friend, I do not remember). 



5. Circus cyaneus, (L.) The Common Harrier. This is rather a 

 common species at Candahar, and frequents the marshy tracts below 

 the city to the south, where, during the winter, Snipe and water-fowl 

 are abundant. I saw them also at Girishk. 



6. C. ceruginosus, (L.) Also common at Candahar, especially near 

 a small swamp to the south of the city, and along the banks of canals 

 in the cultivated tracts ; — one or more might usually be seen sitting on 

 a stone or clod of earth, watching and peering round them, and taking 

 occasionally a leisure sweep above the marsh plants and crops. 



7. Accipiter nisus, (L.) Common at Candahar. 



8. Nisastur badius, (Lath.) Not uncommon. 



9. Aquila bifasciata (?), Gray. A single specimen of what I be- 

 lieve to be this species was captured at Girishk in the month of Decem- 

 ber. Unfortunately, I took but a scanty memorandum at the time, and 

 did not obtain a second specimen. " Plumage dark brown, two cinereous 

 bands on the wings ; feathers lanceolate on head and neck ; cere yellow, 

 as also feet ; claws and bill black. 



10. Milvus ater, (Lin.) The common Indian Kite or Cheel was seen 

 throughout the summer in abundance, became scarce about November, 

 and disappeared as winter set in. They returned early in spring, and 



* The " Churk" Falcon, killed near Gliuzni by Mr. Vigne (' Personal Narrative of a 

 visit to Afghanistan/ &c, p. 136), is not the Churgh or ' Cherrug' (F. lanarius,v.F. 

 cherrug, Gray), but apparently a young Peregrine.— E. B. 



