Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 6 (1902).djvu/261

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
BIRDS COLLECTED IN BENGAL.
215

F. peregrinus, Tunst. (Peregrine Falcon).—I once saw this bird at Dalsingh Serai in January, 1901. It was hovering over an oat-field.

F. peregrinator, Sundev. (Sháhin Falcon).—Mr. Inglis writes: "On the 22nd of December, 1899, I saw a Falcon sitting on a pepul tree near Hattiahi; it appeared to be this species. A Falcon with very dark-coloured back flew past the Nashar bungalow; it was flying very fast and low. I couldn't see its lower plumage, but, on account of the very dark colour above, I think it was this species."

Æsalon chicquera, Daud. (Red-headed Merlin).—Rare. I have a single male in my collection.

Tinnunculus alaudarius, Gmel. (Kestrel).—A very common cold weather visitor, arriving in October.

Accipiter virgatus, Reinw. (Besra Sparrow-Hawk).—Very common. One specimen I saw had the head white, though the rest of the plumage was of the normal colour.

A. nisus, Linn. (Sparrow-Hawk).—I once shot a specimen of this bird in March, 1898. I never came across another.

Astur badius, Gmel. (Shikra).—Very common, and much prized by native birdcatchers for the purpose of hawking. It breeds in April.

Pernis cristatus, Cuv. (Crested Honey-Buzzard).—Fairly common in well-wooded parts of the district. In June, 1901, I took a nest containing two young. Whilst the boy whom I sent up to take the nest was bringing down the young ones, the old bird kept swooping round his head, uttering a low kind of whistle.

(To be continued.)