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Show 682 MR. A. ANDERSON ON THE [Nov. 21, The only tree for a mile round was a gigantic solitary mango; and no sooner had I sent my man up the tree than the little Falcon flew straight to her nest, quite prepared to hold her ground. The nest contained two fresh eggs ; but one of them had a largish hole on one side, exactly like what would be made by the beak of a bird; and through this aperture I blew the specimen. I imagine the Too-rumtee had done this from anger when it saw that the nest was about to be robbed. During the breeding-season I have several times observed the male and female feeding together in the most affectionate manner. I think they must hunt in pairs in a wild state; and hence probably the native idea of training them to take the so-called Jay ( Coracias indica) in that manner. 17. TINNUNCULUS ALAUDARIUS, Briss. (The Kestrel.) The most common migratory Falcon in the country, arriving in October, and leaving again by the middle of April. It does not breed in the plains. 23. MICRONISUS BADIUS, Gmel. (The Shikra.) Common, and builds during April and May. Dr. Jerdon could never have seen the eggs of this Hawk, or he would not have described them as " much blotched with reddish brown"*. I, for one, have never seen eggs of this bird with any markings at all; and in this respect the Shikra has its affinities with the Goshawk, and not with the true Sparrow-Hawks. The Shikra is a great favourite with native falconers; and few of them can afford to keep more expensive Hawks. It is generally trained to take the different kinds of Minas (Sturnus contra, Acridotheres tristis, A. ginginiunus, and Temenuchus pagodarum) ; I have lately seen a young bird, certainly under six months old, catch as many as six in a morning; and it has also been trained to take the small Crow (Corvus splendens). 24. ACCIPITER NISUS, Linn. (The Sparrow-Hawk.) I found this a rare bird, which is clearly shown by m y getting only one specimen, a young male. On three or four occasions I saw what appeared to be Sparrow-Hawks; but I cannot speak with any certainty as to their identity, as they were fearfully wild, not allowing me within a hundred yards or so. 27. AQUILA IMPERIALIS, Bechst. (The Imperial Eagle.) Visits the plains in great numbers during the cold-weather months, leaving again early in April for its breeding-haunts. I have met with this fine bird in all localities; but it is very partial to large plains early in the season, where it may be seen seated on a low bough of the babool tree. As the season advances, it affects jheels and swamps, preying on Ducks &c. It is no exaggeration to say that I have seen a dozen of them in a large plain in the course of a morning. * Birds of India, vol. i. p. 50. |
