OCR Text |
Show 1871.] RAPTORIAL BIRDS OF INDIA. 689 2. The former has the tail invariably barred, the latter rarely (judging from Indian examples). Only one out of ten specimens has any indication of bars : these do not extend across the feathers, but only occupy a space close to the shafts of the feathers ; and they are not diagonal as in A. fulvescens, but at right angles to the shaft. 3. There is a most decided difference in the feel of the plumage of the two birds ; that of A. ncevioides is soft and silky, while that of the other bird is stiff and harsh. I will now leave the matter in the hands of those who will examine the birds in question to judge for themselves whether there is any possibility of confusing the two Eagles together. As far as mere coloration of plumage is concerned, there are probably no two Eagles which resemble each other more than A. ncevioides and A. fulvescens do in some stages of plumage; aud I a m not ashamed to admit that I have in m y collection a large very pale W o k a b (nearly cream-coloured), which I carefully ticketed A. ncevioides. On showing this bird to M r . Brooks m y hopes were dashed to the ground ; and I can now conscientiously state that I could separate these two birds, no matter in what stage, by simply looking at their nostrils and tails. O n the same day that I got m y female A. ncevioides I also shot a fine adult A. neevia ; and as it is not every one who has the treat of comparing these two birds together in the flesh, the following careful measurements &c. are annexed in a tabular form for the sake of easy reference and comparison :- Length Wing Tarsi to joint of toes Foot, greatest length Foot, greatest breadth Mid toe to root of claw Its claw along curve Hind toe to root of claw Its claw along curve Bill, straight, including cere from forehead to point of beak Bill along curve „ from gape „ width at gape $ Aquila ncevioides. inches. 28 22*5 4-6 5-9 5*4 2*5 1-3 1-2 1-7 2-1 2-6 2-5 1-6 J Aquila neevia. inches. 28 21-5 4-3 5-5 50 2-3 1-3 1-3 1-4 1-9 2-2 2-3 1-6 Eemarks. A. ncevioides.-Weight 5 lb. 3 oz. Crop contained a yellow frog. Cere pale yellow; gape dark yellow ; basal half of both mandibles pale slaty blue, tips horny black. Eye-shelf pale greenish yellow; eyelids leaden. ; orbital space covered with white down ; iris dark hazel-brown; a black eye-streak or eyebrow from cere to end of eye. A. neevia.-Weight 4 lb. 4 | oz. Crop contained nil. Feet dingy yellow; cere and gape pale lemon-yellow; iris light brown. This was a spotless bird with white tarsal plumes. |