1839] 



of the Peninsula of India. 



63 



habits to confirm his views as to their natural situation^ If in some 

 parts his classification is deficient, it is from want of material alone, as 

 in the Raptores generally, and the Strlgidcs in particular. Here, how- 

 ever, fortunately important aid has been derived from another quarter, 

 viz. from the accomplished Mr. Hodgson, Resident at the Court of Ne- 

 paul— who, in the papers he has published in the Indian periodicals, 

 has shewn that he combines the greatest talent for minute observation 

 of peculiarities of habits and manners with most critical skill in the 

 more abstruse and scientific art of classifying, to whom we may here- 

 after confidently look for filling up many of the outlines and deficiences 

 of Swainson's system, and whose promised work on the Fauna of Ne- 

 paul is so anxiously expected.* 



It only requires for me to add that in the following catalogue the 

 length is reckoned in all cases from the tip of the bill, and when the 

 length of a toe is mentioned, it includes the claw also, unless the contra- 

 ry is particularly mentioned. 



The following abbreviations are used in reference to the native 

 names :— • 



H. Hindustani. 

 Can. Canarese. 

 Mali. Mahratta. 

 Mai. Malyalum. 



Order I. RAPTORES. 

 Family VULTURIDiE. 



Genus VULTUR.— Auct. Vulture. 



The species of this genus may be speedily collected on exposing a 

 carcass on the open plain, though none were previously in sight. They 

 are readily distinguished in the air by their manner of soaring with 

 wings turned obliquely upwards. 



1. V. Jndicus, Lath.— Temm. P. C. 2Q.—Geedh, ll.—Mahah-Dhoh 

 of Mahrattas. Large brown Vulture. 



2. V. Bengalensis.— Gmel.— Gray and Hardwicke 111. Ind. V. 

 V.Cinereus, Temm. var.—V. teuco?totos, Gray and Hardw.— Old bin! 

 Geedk, H. — Small brown Vulture. 



3. V. Pondicerianus, Lath— Rung Geedh, H.— Black Vulture, 



* See Literary and Scientific Intelligence, at the end of this Journal. -Editor. 



