1844.] 



of the Peninsula of India. 



163 



I have lately procured a specimen of the female of this bird, 

 shot on the Khoondah range of the Neilgherries, and add*a 

 few particulars of her size. 



Total length 17 J ; wing 9h ; tail 8 ; tarsus 2 J ; bill at 

 gape Ira- 

 It has a distinct rather long occipital crest, and the mark- 

 ings of the throat and breast are much more numerous and 

 larger than in the one I formerly procured. Is this bird the 

 Gorbesra of Indian falconry ? 

 36. —bis. 



The Astar Palumbarius or Baz y however, may also be 

 enumerated as an Indian bird. It is chiefly found in the more 

 northern parts of Hindostan, in the cold weather only, but 

 stray birds are said to have been found in the Peninsula, and 

 I think I have lately observed it on two or three occasions 

 near the summit of Dodabetta, the highest mountain on the 

 Neilgherries. 



The Baz is most highly esteemed in India, a trained bird 

 being seldom sold for less than 1000 Rupees. It is flown 

 chiefly at hares, large ducks, and at the Bustard. It will 

 readily strike down the common kite and also the white 

 vulture [Neophron percnopterus). 1 



79—Myophonus Horsjieldii. I suspect this bird to be one 

 whose note is well known to residents at Coonoor and Kota- 

 gherry, and other places on the edges of the hills. It is ex- 

 actly like a boy whistling, so much so as to deceive you most 

 completely. 



123. Sylvia montana. This bird is not uncommon on the 

 Neilgherries. 



162. Sturnus contra. This is the well known Abluhah 

 (i. e. Piet) of India, which is frequently caged for its song. 

 It is common about Hyderabad. 



