38 
CATALOGUE. 
the eastern coast, where from time immemorial they have been known 
to resort to on migrating from the western coast. 
The Besra and other short- winged Hawks, as well as occasionally 
the Luggur and some of the Ealcons, are usually caught by what is 
called among falconers the Do Guz. This is a small thin net from 
four to five feet long, and about three feet broad, stained of a dark 
colour, and fixed between two thin pieces of bamboo, by a cord on 
which it runs. The bamboos are fixed lightly in the ground, and a 
living bird is picketed about the middle of the net, and not quite a 
foot distant from it. The Hawk makes a dash at the bird, which it 
sees struggling at its tether, and in the keenness of its rush, either 
not observing the net from its dark colour, or not heeding it, dashes 
into it, the two side sticks give way, and the net folds round the bird 
so efiectually as to keep it almost from fluttering. 
The Besra is said to be somewhat more difficult to train than 
most of the Hawks, and it is a delicate bird and requires great care 
and attention, especially during the hot season. It is highly 
esteemed among native falconers, and sells for a considerable 
price. It is very speedy, and particularly active and clever in 
jungle, which its habits, as a denizen of the forests in its wild 
state, peculiarly fit it for. It is chiefly flown at the partridge, which 
it seizes in general with great ease and certainty ; also occasionally 
at quails, snipes, and doves. The male, or Dhotee, is but seldom 
trained, and is then flown at sparrows, brahminy mynas {^Pastor 
pagodarum)y and other small birds." — (Jerdon, 111. Ind. Orn.) 
Genus Micronisus, G.B. Gray, List Gen. of Birds, p.5 (1840). 
KisASTUE, Myth (1844). 
Tachtspiza, Kaup, Class, der S(Bug. und Vceg. p. 116 
(1844). 
ScELOSPizA, Kaup, Isis (1847), p. 173. 
47. MICBONISUS S0L0ENSI8, Horsf. Sp. 
Falco soloensis, Horsf., Trans. Linn. Soc. XIII. p. 137, 
Lath., Hist. I. p. 209. 
Micronisus soloensis, G. JR. Gray, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. 
p. 75. Bonap., C. G. Av. p. 33. 
Accipiter soloensis, G. B. Gray, Gen. of Birds, I. p. 29. 
Tachyspiza soloensis, Kaup, Class, der Sceuy. und Voeg. 
p. 116. 
