FALCON. 



167 



A. — Le Faucon huppe, Levai/l. Ois. p\. -28. Baud.'n. p. 118. Shaw's Zool.\\u p. 149. 



pi. 21. 

 Crested Indian Falcon, Gen. Syn, Sup. ii. 25. 



The male is said not much to exceed a common pigeon in size, 

 and the female one-fourth larger. The bill pale, end dusky ; the 

 under mandible singularly notched, and cut off square at the end ; 

 plumage slate-colour; the elongated nape feathers broxvn; hind part 

 of the neck the same, with a long patch of brown over each jaw, in 

 the manner of the Peregrine Falcon ; the under part of the body 

 dirty white, ti-ansversely marked with black streaks on the belly and 

 thighs ; quills brown, reaching beyond the middle of the tail, which 

 is crossed with seven or eight brown bars. 



Inhabits the lakes and borders of the sea in India, and the 

 risers abounding in fish, feeding on them, as well as crabs and 

 shell fish, which it easily breaks with the bill ; will attack gulls, 

 terns, and even the Albatross, all of which give way to this bird. 

 It makes the nest among the rocks, near the sea, for the most part, 

 though sometimes on trees, near the rivers, and lays four rufous white 

 eggs — male and female sit in turn ; the young brood often remains 

 with the parents, till nature prompts them to pair, and thus continue 

 their race. 



