Birds of the Jlivlum District. 
321 
country. We soon found ourselves in the middle of a large 
flight of Short-eaicd Owls {Asiii accipilrintis) which sprung out 
of the grass or from hiuUt bushes on every side. These de- 
layed us for a short lime while we llew a couple of Hawks 
at them and were rewartled with one high mounting flight. 
W'e then proceeded to the spot where a party of 6 Ilon- 
bara liiLstard (H onlxira inaC(jiirciii ) had been reported. This 
was in a large level jilain of dry pari ly-gr.izcd grass studded 
thickly in parts with tliorn bushes; and here .ind tlure ,1 patch 
of thicker vegetation marked a depression, where rain water 
stands for a longer lime than on the surrounding levels. It did not 
take long to Hnd and flush the quarry, and two .S<ikers were 
slipj)ed in lurn, each bringing its bird <iovvn with .i very short 
flight. 
We then were surjnised to find a pai k of some 20 Bustard; 
and while one Hawk again killed with practically no flight at 
all, another gave us a splendid gillop for -ome two miles until 
the Bustard look cover in a dense jjatch of grass .iiid thorn, 
and was utterly lest. 
Returning to our men we then found some of the other 
Bustards which had been marked down, an 1 I flew a new Saker 
of mine, which had only been caught on the 26th November (as 
recorded in the diary of that date). It had the quarry down 
two or three times, I)ut each time the latter broke free and the 
Hawk returned to the charge. It was a fine sight to see the 
Bustard settle and face the Hawk with ruff and wings spread 
like a Turkey cock ; but the Saker dashed manfully in and finally 
pulled it down for good, while I dismounted and ran up, hold- 
ing the Bustard's wings while the Hawk quickly tore open the 
jugular vein and killed the bird ; it was a very fine heavy male 
and a Satisfactoiy reward for the 23 days training. 
Our luck then changed, for one of the Sakers on being 
lown again, killed a Honbara but suddenly !■ ok fright and flew 
»way, leaving the dead quarry. Although we saw .md called 
it up close many times during the afternoon it would not come 
ilown to the lure and eventually had to be abandoned. This 
misadventure combined with the rising of a strong wind made 
us give up for the day and go home, well pleased with our 
bag of 5 Honbara. 
December 23. — Happening to look out of the liung.dow towards a stand 
on which were tied two Lugger Falcons, I was much amused 
to see a wild Kite (Milviis iroviiulu) calmly sitting, resting 
between the two Hawks ; ihcy did not seem to object at all, and 
the visitor departed at his own leisure, 
party of Sociable Lapwings noted. 
Common Starlings were noted about in small numbers dur- 
ing the month. Rose-coloured Pastors have also been seen, but 
they were much less common at Sirsa than in Hissar. 
