CATALOGUE. 
59 
sects, and occasionally carries off a dead or wounded snipe or other 
bird, and even carrion, and, it is also credibly said, young birds, 
chickens, and pigeons ; though I have not myself witnessed it. I 
have, though very rarely, seen it whip an insect off a tree or stand- 
ing grain ; this, and its food generally, if not heavy, it often devours 
in the air like the common Kite, or seated on the edge of a tank or 
river, or bank of a paddy-field. It partakes very greedily of the 
small fish so generally dried by the poor on the coast, and I have 
repeatedly seen it catch one thrown up in the air for that purpose 
by a native. From this we must conclude that it varies its food 
according to opportunity, but undoubtedly it prefers the neighbour- 
hood of water, and aquatic food, as crabs, frogs, and fish, when 
procurable. It is, as is well known, sacred to Vishnu." — (Jerdon, 
Madr. Journ. L. S. X. p. 72.) 
Colonel Sykes states : " It is seen constantly passing up and down 
rivers at a considerable height, but prepared to fall at an instant on 
its prey. Usually it seizes while on the wing, but occasionally dips 
entirely under water, appearing to rise again with difficulty. It is 
quite a mistake to suppose it feeds on carrion. I examined the 
contents of the stomach and craw of many specimens, and always 
found fish, and fish only, excepting on one occasion, when a crab 
was met with. Sexes alike. The female lays two large white eggs." 
—(P. Z. S. (1832), p. 78.) 
Mr. Blyth also states : " A very common and conspicuous species, 
abundant along the rivers, and generally observed near water. Has 
a peculiar strange bleating cry." — (Ann. Nat. Hist. XII. p. 91.) 
" It is very common in the Bay of Batavia, where it feeds on 
fishes. "^ — (Horsfield.) 
" Europeans have given this bird the appellation of Brahminy Kite, 
which originates in having observed that the Hindoos attach super- 
stitious ideas to it. Among the Mahomedans there is a prevalent 
notion that when two armies are about to engage, the appearance of 
one of these birds over either party, prognosticates victory to that 
side. It is, perhaps, possible that there may be something like 
migration in the habits of this bird. I have noticed that at some 
periods of the year it is more common than at others ; in the cold 
season it abounds, while in the rains it is rarely met with." — 
(Pearson, Journ. A. S. Beng. X. p. 629.) 
