148 FALCON. 



Inhabits tlie East Indies, chiefly about Pondicheny. It is 

 esteemed a sacred bird on the coasts of Malabar and Coroniandel, and 

 called by some the Malabar Eaiile, and having the manners of the 

 kite, has obtained tlie names of Bramany-Kite, in comphance with 

 the respect paid to it by the Bramins of India. The natives of Hin- 

 dustan call it Tchil — and at Bengal, Sunk-Tchil, also Kueronden — 

 besides which, I find other names given to it in India, viz. Khem- 

 Calyani and Cshamancari*^ — said to remain at Bengal the whole year, 

 living on fish, frogs, snakes, &c. It is less wild than many of the 

 genus, but never so bold as to pick up filth in the streets. Builds 

 })oth in the villages and forests, and lays two or three eggs in March 

 or April — the yoimg fly in June. We learn, that it is no where 

 more fiequent in India than at a noted grove, called Pop-Tope, a 

 tew miles distant from St. Thomas, f 



In the temples of the God VisJinow, in front of his image, and 

 sometimes sitting on a serpent with several heads, is a figure of the 

 bird called Garroora. This is a large brown kite, with a white head, 

 and probably meant to represent this Eagle. It is said that the 

 Bramins, at some of the temples of this God, accustom birds of this 

 kind to come at stated times to be fed, calling them to their meals 

 by striking a l)rass plate. J 



One of tliese, among the drawings of Gen. Hardwicke, had the 

 names of Keu-Keraan, (bird catchers name) Cheym-Kullee, also 

 Rutey-Cheel. The word Cheel seems to have a common meaning, 

 perhaps that of Hawk ? 



Dr. Horsfield met with this bird in Java, where it is called 

 Ulung. § 



* Sir J. Anstruther's drawings— one in Lord Valentia's drawings called Cullcarii. 

 t Ten miles distant from Madras, Penn. View of Hindoost. ii. p. 90. 

 X Sketches of the Hindoos, Svo. 1790. p. 155. 

 § Lin, Trans, v. xiii. p. 136. 



