52 ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY, (CEYLON BRANCH.) 



above description and measurements were noted down while 

 the bird was yet in flesh. It was mounted by a A. Whyte 

 and Co., Kandy, and I believe it will be exhibited at the 

 Society's next Meeting. 



Though common throughout many parts of India, it is 

 difficult to account for the appearance of this stray Neophron 

 at our mountain sanitarium. The weather at the time was 

 rough and stormy, and it is just possible that it found the 

 N. E. monsoon too much for it, and was thus, driven south. 

 It is not probable that a bird of such keen instinct and vision 

 should have missed his way, or have mistaken our mountain 

 ranges for some of its favorite haunts in Southern India ; 

 and yet, it is a matter of surprise, that a bird of prey, 

 possessing such powers of flight, should not more frequently 

 visit our shores. 



This specimen differs considerably in plumage and mea- 

 surements from the description of the species given by 

 Terdon ; but the most striking difference is to be found in 

 the naked portion of the head extending further back than 

 is apparently noted by him, or figured in any of the works 

 to which I have access. It would be exceedingly interest- 

 ing if the subject of these notes was to turn out a new species, 

 or even variety, seeing there have hitherto been described 

 only two species of this aberrant or sub-family of vultures, 

 the other being Calhartes monackus, Tern., from Africa. 

 We think, however, it can only be looked on as a small form 

 of Puenopterus, with the bald space on the head extending 

 further back than is usually the case. 



This type of vulture is considered by some naturalists to 

 connect the Baptores, and Natatores, by the similar form 

 and shape of the bill, to that of the Frigate Pelicans, as 

 also in the long and pointed wings. Swainson hints at the 

 probability of Neophron being the grollatorial genus of the 

 vultures. 



