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Show 1874.] OF THE GOLDEN EAGLE IN INDIA. 211 but less readily, Crows *, Jays f, and Mainas {:, and such like ; but any thing in the shape of raptorial birds, such as Kites, Buzzards, &c, is rejected at once, thereby proving the truth of the proverb that " Hawks pyke not out hawk's een." September 1st.-Has grown considerably during the past month, and plumage now appears fully developed ; no changes of any importance have occurred in his appearance and habits. October 1st.-No changes in plumage, but steadily increases in size. Occasionally shows a savage temper with any one who approaches him. The dogs keep at a respectful distance ; but a fowl who ventured within his reach was caught and killed instantly. I occasionally give him a chicken as a treat, and am much struck by his mode of killing it: having seized the victim in his powerful gripe, he makes no attempt at using his beak, but remains with head erect, looking in a defiant manner at any one standing near him, and meanwhile killing the fowl by the simple compression of his powerful talons. Having completely killed it in this fashion, a process which does not take more than a minute, he turns away, still holding it in his grasp, and endeavours to shield it from the sight of observers by spreading his wings over it (this is a peculiarity of all Falcons); and finally, using his beak for the first time, he tears it in pieces and swallows them till not a vestige, except a few of the larger feathers, is left. November 1st.-Is evidently still growing, and is getting more savage in his temper. The cry before alluded to has ceased ; and the bird appears to enjoy the cold weather which has now set in. January 1st, 1872.-No change in size or plumage has occurred during the past two months. The bird thrives well, but is getting very savage and aggressive in his temper. March 1st.-Nothing worth noting since last observations were recorded. May 1st.-Is now nearly a year old, has not grown to any appreciable extent since last autumn ; and plumage remains unchanged ; no signs of moulting at present. Temper very savage, and I have been obliged to secure him by a strong cord fastened to a strap on one of his legs; he generally rushes to the full length of the cord, and attempts to seize people who approach him. The man in charge of him has no sinecure; and the office of carrying him from the tree under which his perch is placed for the day to the verandah where he is kept at night is one of considerable danger. He would be more awkward to handle and approach than he is were it not that he appears to regard his claws as his only weapons of offence, not dreaming of using his very formidable beak. This peculiarity is shown, as I have said before, in the act of killing a fowl, which he never touches with his beak until it is to all appearance dead from the pressure of bis talons. The loud cry that had ceased last autumn has recommenced, and his impatience of confinement is * Corvus splendens and C. culminatus. Common in Hazara. t Garrulus lanceolatus and G. himalayanns. Common in Hazara. \ Acridotheres tristis. Common in Hazara. |