249 
on Dr. Jerdon’s ‘ Birds of India J 
the cere and feet should have been coloured of a much paler or 
dull light sulphur-yellow, or what might rather be termed dull 
yellowish white; while the dark iris is correct, and conspicuously 
distinguishes both this species and M. melanotis when alive from 
M. migrans, as may now be seen in the Zoological Gardens. 
When I was in the habit of continually seeing the Indian Kite 
in the utmost profusion, and commonly near enough to permit of 
the closest observation, the error here noticed of colouring the 
cere and feet of much too deep a yellow was strikingly apparent. 
It is amusing to stand at a window in a neighbourhood where 
these birds and the Crows ( Corvus splendens ) abound, and there 
to make movements of the arm as if throwing something away: 
both Kites and Crows are immediately attracted and gather 
round, and will sweep by and hover about close, watching 
eagerly for what they suppose is being cast out to them. 
Colonel Tytler has given a good account of an assemblage of 
Kites and Crows preying on the winged Termites , as they issue 
forth in a jet, which at a little distance might be mistaken for a 
continuous exhalation of smoke or vapour ; and a curious sight it 
is to behold them thus streaming forth in myriads (Ann. & Mag. 
N. H. 1854, xiv. p. 171). On occasions of this sort various other 
species intermingle, Drongos ( Dicrurus ), Mainas [Acridotheres ], 
and insectivorous Bats. Every predatory creature will devour 
eagerly the winged ee White Ants”*. 
58. Baza lophotes. 
Professor Schlegel notes this species from Malacca, whence I 
also have repeatedly seen it. It occurs rarely in Ceylon. 
* It is well known how the winged Termites are attracted by a light, or 
by a white table-cloth. Upon occasions of their thus swarming into a 
room, my caged small insectivorous birds used to enjoy a grand treat. I 
had them in large cages with wire all round; and placing these on the 
floor in a circle, with a light in the centre, plenty of Termites would enter 
the cages to pass through them towards the light, and would keep their 
inmates incessantly occupied, till they could manage to get down no more 
of them. In the course of a quarter of an hour or thereabouts, after their 
first appearance, every Termes will be found to have shed its wings, and, 
crawling about, scarcely one escapes falling a prey to small Geckos and 
other enemies. 
