1848.] Notes on the Nidification of Indian Birds. 3 



Notes on the Nidification of Indian Birds. — By Capt. Thomas 

 Hutton, F. G. S. (Communicated by E. Blyth, Esq.) 



Captain Tickell having made a praiseworthy beginning, in the April 

 number of the Journal of the Asiatic Society for 1848, to dispel the 

 darkness that has hitherto hung over our knowledge of this portion 

 of the history of the Birds of India, I have thought it advisable, being 

 in possession of a few facts bearing on the subject, to follow in the 

 path he has so well pointed out. 



No. 1. — " Hali'detus Macei, Cuv. 



I notice this species because Captain Tickell has remarked that it 

 " never makes the slightest attempt at defending its nest, — a striking 

 contrast to the marvellous tales we read of, concerning the Golden 

 Eagle in the Highlands of Scotland, &c. !" This remark is correct only 

 so long as there are eggs in the nest, for no sooner are these hatched 

 than the temper of the bird becomes wholly changed, and it will then 

 defend its young with fierceness and determination. The nests I have 

 repeatedly found and robbed, both on the banks of the Ganges and of 

 the Sutledge, and in all cases where they contained only eggs, not the 

 least show of resistance was made, — the old birds either sailing away 

 with a loud querulous cry, — or sullenly remaining on an adjacent tree 

 watching the robbery that was going on. On one occasion, however, 

 I met with a very different reception, when my servant was attacked 

 with an unexpected ferocity from which nothing but my gun could have 

 saved him. The circumstance occurred in January 1832, when on my 

 way up the country. The nest was placed near the summit of a tree 

 growing on one of the Colgong rocks in the middle of the Ganges, and 

 contained two half -fledged young ones. The old birds offered a most 

 determined resistance, and without the aid of fire-arms we should 

 decidedly have been defeated, as they dashed fiercely and fearlessly at 

 the man in the tree, who prayed hard to be allowed to descend, and 

 was only kept at his post by the promise of reward and fear of the 

 cudgel. At first we had to contend with the female only, but after 

 one or two rapid stoops and dashes at the robber's head, which he 

 avoided by bobbing under the nest, — finding she could make no im- 

 pression, she suddenly uttered a shrill cry, which was responded to 

 in the distance, and in an instant after, her mate was seen swiftly 



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