246 
BIRDS. 
[Chap. VIII. 
northern coasts and the salt lakes of the eastern pro- 
vinces, particularly when the receding tide leaves bare 
an expanse of beach, over which it hunts, in company 
with the fishing eagle 1 , sacred to Siva. Unlike its 
companions, however, the sea eagle rejects garbage for 
living prey, and especially for the sea snakes which 
abound on the northern coasts. These it seizes by 
descending with its wings half closed, and, suddenly 
darting down its talons, it soars aloft again with its 
writhing victim. 2 
Hawks. — The beautiful Peregrine Falcon 3 is rare, 
but the Kestrel 4 is found almost universally ; and the 
bold and daring Groshawk 5 wherever wild crags and pre- 
cipices afford safe breeding places. In the district of 
Anarajapoora, where it is trained for hawking, it is 
usual, in lieu of a hood, to darken its eyes by means 
of a silken thread passed through holes in the eyelids. 
The ignoble birds of prey, the Kites 6 , keep close by the 
shore, and hover round the returning boats of the fisher- 
men to feast on the fry rejected from their nets. 
Owls. — Of the nocturnal accipitres the most remark- 
able is the brown owl, which, from its hideous yell, has 
acquired the name of the " Devil-Bird." 7 The Singha- 
1 Haliastur Indus, Bodd. Hamilton Buchanan remarks that 
2 E. L. Layard. Europeans have when gorged this bird delights to 
given this bird the name of the sit on the entablature of buildings, 
" Brahminy Kite," probably from exposing its back to the hottest 
observing the superstitious feeling rays of the sun, placing its breast 
of the natives regarding it, who against the wall, and stretching 
believe that when two armies are out its wings exactly as the Egyptian 
about to engage, its appearance Hawk is represented on the monu- 
prognosticates victory to the party ments. 
over whom it hovers. 7 Syrnium Indranee, SyTces. Mr. 
3 Falco peregrinus, Linn. Blyth writes to me from Calcutta 
4 Tinnunculus alaudarius, Briss. that there are some doubts about 
5 Astur trivirgatus, Temm. this bird. There would appear to 
6 Milvus govinda, SyJees. Dr. be three or four distinguishable 
