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Show 1876.J RAPTORIAL BIRDS OF INDIA. 311 belliformis). One bird invariably remained in the nest, sorting the materials as they were brought by its mat.e. • J 2. FALCO BABYLONICUS, Gurney. (Plate XXIII.). This was the prize of the season; and I believe the present example is the finest extant, both as regards maturity and beauty. I shot this specimen in the Etawah district, on the 27th November, while seated on the top of a low bl! bool tree. It allowed me to ride su fficiently close up to it to enable me to distinguish its rufous head and the warm reddish hue of the underparts, which are the tests of the fully matured Falco babylonicus. At first it occurred to me that it was onl.v a Lithofalco chicquera; but its superior size soon dispelled my doubts; aud a minute later, as the lovely bird hung by its claws head downwards, bleeding profusely through the moutb, I saw that it was a fine example of the present species. The specimen now before me (a male) appears to be in full mature dress: Carefully measured in the flesh, the following are the results :-Length 14'7; wing 10'7; tail from vent 6'0; tarsus 1'6; bill straight (including cere) 1'0, along the curve (as above) 1'1, width at gape 1'1; greatest expanse of foot--Iength 4 '0, breadth 3'6, centre toe and claw 2'5 j weight 1 lb. 6 oz.; the wings fall short of the tail by 1'1. The cere, gape, and orbital space were bright yellow; the bill was pale blue, darkening gradually towards the tip, which was blue-black; the irides were dark brown; and the claws were horny black. The crop contained the remains of a Lark or Pipit. The Falcon was in full enjoyment of repose after having made a good meal, and was quite unconscious of any approaching danger: I have seldom had a better opportunity of examining a bird of the kind at such close quarters before. The figure in 'The Ibis' for 18tH, p. 217, dees not represent a fully adnlt bird. It will be seen on comparing that figure with the plate now gi"en that the following characters are the indications of full maturity :-first, the pale blue or grey mantle, ('very feather being broadly edged and tipped wi th rufous; second, the very rufous head, the Illoustachial stripe being also shaded off with the same colour; third, the warm reddish tint of the underparts, which, from the th1'oat to the lJent are wholly devoid of any 1nm·,.ings at all, there being only afew light-blue or lavender dots on the lower flanks and tibial plumes. I cannot understand Mr. Hume's 16-inch malet; his measurements surely refer to a female; if he were correct, Falco habylonicu8 would be fu"lly as large as Falco peregrinus (my males of the latter average under 16 inches I), whereas it is in reality a smaller species. 27 bis. AQUILA BIFASCIATA, Gray and Hardw. That Aquila orientalis, Cab., has hitherto (erroneously though) been held to be distinct from Aquila bifasciata, Gra.y and Hardw., by continental naturalists admits no longer of any doubt. I have just t Of ' Rough N OU3~: part i. p. 80. |
