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Show 392 MR. R. C. BEAVAN ON INDIAN RATTORES. [JuilC 11, 5. GYPS BENGALENSIS, Gmel. Breeds in Maunbhoom in February, choosing for the purpose almost invariably a large semul or cotton-tree, which at that time of year loses its leaves and puts forth its fine scarlet flowers ; hence the nest, which is generally placed at the junction of two large limbs, or at the diverging point of several branches from the trunk, is plainly visible, but not easy to get at; for the Vulture chooses the largest trees it can find, and most of them are smooth, large in girth, and devoid of branches near the ground. The nest is circular, compactly built of fresh twigs with the leaves on. Eggs two, dirty white, frequently blotched with red, which, however, is either blood or dirt, for it is removeable by brushing with soap and water. On m y way down to the plains from Simla in October 1866,1 came across several of this species, which I have found abundantly distributed in every part of the plains of India hitherto visited by me. On the occasion alluded to, numbers of cattle had been used for the purpose of carrying down baggage from Simla to the plains, and, as a matter of course, several had died ou the way. One which I found on the roadside was surrounded by crowds of these Vultures. On going up to examine it I disturbed above forty of them, most of which flew up into the neighbouring trees. On going near the carcass I was surprised to hear a rumbling noise proceeding from its inside. There was a good-sized hole dug out by the bills of these birds in the neck of the carcass, and also another near its anus, while the stomach was swollen out and distended as if with air. On hitting this with m y stick, it appeared to be filled out by something inside, and in a few minutes, to m y great astonishment, I found that there were more Vultures all alive inside the carcass ! Two, following each other in quick succession, shortly afterwards walked out through the hole in the neck of the bullock, and the first immediately flew off to a neighbouring tree, whilst the'other was so gorged he could not do more than waddle off to a rock close by, on which he sat, whilst I left him and concluded my journey. Many a time have I seen Vultures at a carcass, but never before to penetrate inside that of a dead beast. It is a curious fact, too, that whereas here, in the north-west of India, these birds penetrate into the hills, as in this case, up to the elevation of, and perhaps higher than Simla, or about 6000 feet, one seldom or ever at Darjeeling sees or hears of a Vulture, except perhaps at Punkabarie, which is entirely at the foot of the hills. The same remark applies equally to the next species. 6. NEOPHRON PERCNOPTERUS, Linn., of Jerdon. The White Vulture. N ginginianus, Lath, apud Blyth in • Ibis' 1866, p. 233. As mentioned by Jerdon, this is the most abundant scavenger in the upper provinces of India, but is entirely unknown in Lower Bengal. Its limit seems to extend as far only as Rnneegunge, a sta- |