462 SOME OF THE FAMILIAR BIRDS OF INDIA. 
and general coloring that the inexperienced observer finds it diffiealt 
to distinguish the two when flying at a little distance from him. It 
is wary, but more predacious than the kites, not unfrequently seiz- 
ing a chicken or some other small animal from the ground. But, as 
Dr. Jerdon says, its depredations are usually laid to the charge of 
the kites, for the reason that the common native people do not 
distinguish it from them. It is wonderful how widely extended 
the range of this eagle is. It is found throughout India and 
Burmah, in Western Asia, Southern Europe and Northern Africa, 
and has recently been reported from South Africa. Mr. Blyth also 
thinks that the Australian Hieraëtus morphnoides, is not to be 
distinguished from this species. 
Poliornis teesa. The white-eyed buzzard. 
Milvus Govinda. The common pariah kite. Among the - 
objects that attracted my attention when I landed in India were 
the kites and crows, and I have scarcely been out of sight of them 
very long at a time since. They are very abundant in all parts of 
India, and no representation of Indian scenery would be quite 
complete without some of these birds in the foreground. e 
common kite performs a very important office as & scavenger T 
is generally seen sitting upon the ground, or upon houses eee 
or sailing about with easy and not very rapid motion om 
villages or cantonments watching for any bits of refuse were 
serve for food. When these are discovered the kite does not we 
rapidly down it seizes the prize with its claws; or if He. 
swoop fails a second or third quickly follows. But after selz "e 
: ‘mes rush 
Others of his own species seeing his success, will sometimes 
upon him and attack him with such fury that he is 
the prize to escape from them. If unmolested, however, wr 
devour his spoils either upon the wing, or seated upon eas 
boring house or tree. It is surprising how quickly the ge have 
discern an object and recognize it as an article of food. 
myself thrown a small bird out upon the ground with COM” pite, 
force, and alm it sto i the 
po An ost before it stopped rolling upon 4 
which was unseen before, swooped upon it and carr 
triumph. 
* a v re | 
- The kites are sometimes exceedingly bold and often be almost 
Some. The people in this country are accustomed to 
Pi si 
od it away ™ : 
