met with. Sexes alike. Female lays two large white eggs. Length, inclusive of tail, 19 to 21 inches: tail 9 inches.

Genus Circaëtus, Vieill.

6. Circ, brachydactylus. Falco brachydactylus, Wolf. Aquila brachydactyla, Meyer. Falco Gallicus, Gmel., p. 295. sp. 52. Le Jean le Blanc, Pl. Enl. 413. Colonel SYKE'S specimen was a female. Irides deep orange at the external margin, passing to straw-yellow at the internal margin. The remains of a snake and two rats were found in the stomach. Length, inclusive of tail, 30 inches: tail 11 inches.

Genus Aquila, Auct.

7. Aq. chrysaëta. Falco chrysaetos, Linn. Golden Eagle, Lath.

Colonel SYKES's specimen differs so slightly from the European bird as not to justify its separation.

8. Aq. bif asciata, Hardwicke and Gray's Ind. Zool.

Irides brownish yellow ochre. Sexes alike in plumage; non-adult birds paler than adults. A whole rat found in the stomach of one bird. A second bird was shot by Colonel SYKES at the dead carcase of a royal tiger; but it had not tasted the banquet, as the stomach was empty. Length, inclusive of tail, 30 inches tail 11 inches.

Genus Hæmatornis, Vigors.

9. Hæm. Bacha. Falco Bacha, Daud. pl. 22. Le Bacha, Le Vaill., Ois. d'Afr. pl.

15.

Colonel SYKE's collection does not possess a specimen, but he identified a specimen in the possession of a friend, shot in the Dakhan.

Sub-Fam. Accipitrina. Hawk.

Genus Accipiter, Ray. Sparrow Hawk.

10. ACCIPITER DUKHUNENSIS. Acc. suprà fusco-brunneus, plumarum marginibus pallidioribus, capite postico nucháque albo variegatis; subtùs albus, pectore abdomineque notis subrotundatis grandibus, femorum tectricibus parvis, rufescentibus striatis; rectricibus fusco fasciatis, fasciis externarum confertioribus; tarsis subbrevibus.

Irides stramineo-flavæ, margine gracili nigro circumdatæ.
Longitudo corporis 14 unc., caudæ 61⁄2, tarsi 13.

Sexes alike in plumage. Resembles the Acc. fringillarius, but differs in the longitudinal broad reddish patches on the breast, in less red on the sides, in a black narrow streak down the throat, in shorter wings, in the tail having six broad bars instead of four, in the male bird being as large as the European female, and finally in the shorter tarsi and centre toes.

11. Acc. Dussumieri. Falco Dussumieri, Temm., Pl. Col. 308. female.

Irides bright yellow, with an exterior narrow margin of black. Wings short. Tail long and narrow, being only the width of the upper feather. M. TEMMINCK's specific characters are taken from a female, the male being unknown. Colonel SYKES has but one specimen, and that a female, the male being unknown to him. Length, inclusive of tail, 124 inches : tail 61⁄2 inches.

Genus Astur. Auct. Goshawk.

12. ASTUR HYDER. Ast. corpore suprà et subtùs brunneo, dorso imo rufescenti, plumarum rhachibus fuscis, alarum tectricibus albo notatis; abdomine maculis albis fasciato; frontis fascia gracili guttureque albis, hoc lineis tribus latis fuscis, und in medio, cæteris utrinque ad latera, notato ; femorum tectricibus crissoque albis, rufo fasciatis; caudá suprà rufá, fasciis quinque gracilibus, ferè obsoletis, alterâque prope basin latá, fuscis notatá; remigibus fusco-brunneis ad apicen fuscis, pogoniis internis fasciis quinque fuscis gracilibus, alboque ad basin notatis. Rostrum ad basin flavum, ad apicem nigrum. Longitudo corporis 16-17 unc., caudæ 61-7. This bird has the three stripes upon the throat, and the aspect of Falco trivirgatus, Temm., fig. 303, but it is a much larger bird than M. TEMMINCK's, and has otherwise characters in the plumage to entitle it to a specific distinction. A couple of mice were found in the stomach of one bird. Sexes alike in plumage. Female a little larger than the male.

Pedes flavi; unguibus nigris.

Sub-Fam. Falconnina.
Genus Faco, Auct. Falcon.

13. Falco Tinnunculus, Linn. Kestril.

Irides intense brown. A very abundant bird in the Dakhan. Both sexes are absolutely identical with the European birds in their characteristic plumage.

Colonel SYKES, nevertheless, mentions his being in possession of a male bird exactly like the female of the Kestril in plumage and size, and, consequently, larger than the male Kestril: and as this was shot from a party of five or six, perched on the same tree, and without a male Kestril in company, he is induced to believe there is a distinct species, in which both sexes have the plumage of the female European Kestril. Remains of rats, mice, lizards, grasshoppers, and a bird, were found in the stomach of several specimens. In one stomach the remains of no less than four lizards were met with.

14. Falco Chicquera. Lath. Le Chicquera, Le Vaill., Ois. d'Afr. pl. 22.

Irides sanguineous. A common bird in the Dakhan. Sexes alike in plumage. Female usually the larger bird; but Colonel SYKES has a male quite as large as any female. A sparrow was found in the stomach of one male bird, and a young bat in the stomach of another.

Sub-Fam. Buteonina. Buzzards.

Genus Circus, Auct. Harrier.

15. CIRCUS PALLIDUS. Circ. pallidè griseus, alis dorsoque saturatioribus; subtùs albus, uropygio albo, griseo fasciatim notato; rectricibus, duabus mediis exceptis, griseo alboque fasciatis; remigibus tertiâ quartâ quintâque fuscis. Irides viridi-flavæ. . Longitudo corporis 19 unc., caudæ 9;

caudæ 10.

corporis 21;

This bird has usually been considered the Circ. cyaneus of Europe; but it differs in the shade of its plumage (male and female); in the back-head of the male not being white spotted with pale brown; in the absence of dusky streaks on the breast; in the rump and upper tail- coverts being white barred with brown ash; in the inner webs of four of the tail-feathers not being white; and in the bars of the under tail being seven instead of four. The female resembles the female of Circ. cyaneus, but the plumage is two shades lighter, the tail is barred with six broad fuscous bars, instead of four, and the tail-feathers are much more pointed. The remains of six lizards were found in the stomach of one bird. Colonel SYKES never saw these birds perch on trees. They frequent the open stony plains only. The sexes were never seen together.

16. CIRCUS VARIEGATUS. Circ. capite suprà, nuchá, ptilis, pectoreque rufis, plumis in medio latè brunneis; dorso scapularibus, remigibusque externis intense brunneis ; pteromatibus, remigibus internis, candáque griseis; abdomine femorumque tectricibus rufis; cauda tectricibus superioribus rufo albo brunneoque, inferioribus grisee saturatiore, notatis. Longitudo corporis 21 unc., caudæ 10.

This is a very remarkable bird, and in its plumage seems to possess much of the united characters of the sexes of this genus, which are known generally to exhibit a marked difference. Colonel SYKES possesses but one specimen, a male.

Sub-Fam. Milvina.
Genus Milvus, Auct. Kite.

17. MILVUS GOVINDA. Milv. capite, nuchá, corporeque subtùs rufescenti-brunneis, plumis in medio fusco lineatis; dorso, alis, caudáque satis furcatá saturatè brunneis, illarum pteromatibus pallidioribus, hác fusco obsolete fasciato. Longitudo corporis 26 unc., cauda 11.

This bird differs from the Falco Cheele in the want of white spots on the wing-coverts, white before the eyes, and white bar on the tail; in having the inner webs of the tail-feathers barred with numerous narrow bars, and in the shafts of the feathers about the head and neck, and generally underneath, being very dark. Sexes alike. Constantly soaring in the air in circles; watching an opportunity to dart upon a chicken, upon refuse animal matter thrown from the cook-room, and occasionally even having the hardihood to stoop at a dish of meat carrying from the cook-room to the house.

Fam. Strigida, Leach.-Genus Otus, Cuv.

18. Ot. Bengalensis, Franklin, Proceed, Zool. Soc. I. p. 115, Goobur of the Mahrattas. Irides, external margin dark orange, gradually changing to yellow at the internal margin. Very common in the Dakhan. Generally found on the open rocky plains. A whole rat, (the tail hanging out of the mouth, and the head and most part of the body in the stomach, and partly decomposed,) was found in one bird : another had a crab, a third a pastor; but the usual food appeared to be rats.

19. Strix Javanica, Horsf.

Genus Strix, Auct.

Although at a superficial view this species appears to be the barn-door Owl of Europe (Strix fammed), a comparison of several specimens with the European bird satisfies Colonel SYKES that Dr. HORSFIELD was right in separating it. Neither sex is unspotted white underneath, nor has the Indian species a white disc. Sexes

alike, with the exception of the plumage of the female being a shade or two lighter than that of the male. Length, inclusive of tail, 17 inches: tail 5 inches. One of Colonel SYKES's specimens was captured alive while lying on its back on the ground, defending itself against the attacks of a body of crows. Irides reddish dark brown.

20. STRIX INDRANEE. Strix capite suprà pallidè brunneo, plumis albido marginatis; dorso imo, pteromatibusque rufescenti-brunneis, fasciis albis fusco marginatis notatis; dorso medio, ptilis, remigibus caudáque brunneis, his rufescenti fasciatis, hác faciis albidis gracilibus notata, ad apicem albo marginata; gulá crissoque albescentibus ; abdomine subrufo, brunneo graciliter faciato; regione circumoculari nigrá; disco rufo, brunneo marginato.

Irides rufo-brunneæ. Longitudo corporis 21 unc., caudæ 9.

Inhabits the woods of the Ghauts: rare. The specimen described is a young bird, and a female.

Genus Ketupa, Less.

Strix Leschenaulti, Temm.

21. Ketupa Leschenaulti, Less., Traité d'Ornith. p. 114. Pl. Col. 20. Scops? Leschenaulti, Steph., vol. 13. p. 53. A rare bird in the Dakhan. Independently of the naked legs of this bird, its aquiline aspect authorizes its separation from the genera with which it had been placed previously to M. LESSON's arrangement.

Genus Noctua, Sav.

22. Noct. Indica, Frankl. Peenglah of the Mahrattas. Irides, King's yellow. Sexes alike. Mice and beetles found in the stomach. An exceedingly noisy bird, and frequently heard chattering during the day-time in dense trees. The Mahrattas have a superstition respecting this species; and a class of persons, called from it Peenglah, live on the credulity of the people by pretending to consult it, and predict events. Length, inclusive of tail, 9 to 11 inches: tail 2 to 3 inches. Numerous in the Dakhan, and found in families of four or five.

ORDER II. INSESSORES, Vigors.
Tribus FISSIROSTRES, Cuv.

Fam. Meropida.-Genus Merops, Linn.

23. Merops viridis, Linn. Indian Bee-eater, Lath. Guêpier à collier de Madagascar, Buff.

Fam. Hirundinida, Leach.-Genus Hirundo, Auct.

24. Hirundo filifera, Steph., vol. 13. p. 79. Hir. filicaudata, Frankl.

Very abundant in Dakhan, and very beautiful, with its thread-like tail-feathers floating behind when in flight.

25. HIRUNDO JEWAN. Mas. Hir. capite, dorso, tectricibus alarum, uropygio, rectricibus mediis fasciáque latá pectorali metallicè nigris; corpore subtus rosaceoalbo; gutture rufo; remigibus rectricibusque lateralibus fusco-nigris, his internè albo maculatis.

Foem. et jun. Gutture magis rufo notato.

Irides intensè rufescenti-brunneæ. Longitudo corporis 6 unc., caudæ 3,3.. This bird differs from the common English Swallow, (Hir. rustica,) only in its somewhat smaller size, larger bill, and in the lateral tail-feathers not being equally elongated. The tail is less forked, and the rufous colour of the throat extends more on the breast.

26. HIRUNDO CONCOLOR. Hir. fuliginoso-brunnea, sericea; caudá æquali, rectricibus, externis mediisque exceptis, internè albo guttatis. Longitudo corporis 5 unc., caudæ 2.

These birds live on the banks of rivers. The plumage of the sexes does not differ.

27. HIRUNDO ERYTHROPYGIA. Hir. metallicè nigra; uropygio collarique nuchali rufis; corpore subtùs albo, pallidè rosaceo tincto, plumis in medio graciliter brunneo striatis.

!

Longitudo corporis 6 unc., caudæ 3.

This species appeared in millions in two successive years in the month of March on the parade-ground at Poona: they rested a day or two only, and were never seen in the same numbers afterwards.

Genus Cypselus, Ill..

28. Cypselus affinis, Hardw. Allied Swift, Hardw.

These birds are so rare in Dakhan that Colonel SYKES obtained only two specimens.

Fam. Caprimulgidæ, Vigors.- Genus Caprimulgus, Auct.

29. Caprimulgus monticolus, Frankl. Great Bombay Goat-sucker, Lath.

30. Caprimulgus Asiaticus, Lath. Bombay Goat-sucker, Id.

31. CAPRIMULGUS MAHRATTENSIS. Capr. pallidè cinereo-griseus, brunneo ferrugineoque undulatus variegatusque; thorace, remigibus tribus externis in medio, rectricibusque duabus lateralibus ad apices, albo notatis. Longitudo corporis 8.8 unc., caudæ 5.5.

This species differs from the two preceding in the prevalent grayness of the plumage, and in the absence of the subrufous collar on the nape of the neck. Fam. Halcyonidæ, Vigros.-Genus Halcyon, Swains. Crab-eater.

32. Halcyon Smyrnensis. Alcedo Smyrnensis, Linn. Smyrna Kingsfisher.

In the description of this bird authors appear to have omitted to mention the chestnut small wing-coverts, and fine rich chocolate black medial wing-coverts. This species frequents well irrigated gardens and old wells, rather than brooks or rivers. Grasshoppers were frequently found in the stomach.

Genus Alcedo, Auct. Kingsfisher.

33. Alcedo rudis, Linn. Black and White Kingsfisher, Edw., pl. 9.

In all Colonel SYKES'S specimens the male bird is distinguished from the female by a single or broken double black bar across the breast.

34. Alcedo Bengalensis, Gmel. Little Indian Kingsfisher, Edw., pl. 11.

This species affects brooks: it is never seen in gardens.

Genus Ceyx, La Cép.

35. Ceyx tridactyla, La Cép. Buff., Pl. Enl. 778. fig. 2.

This very beautiful bird differs from BUFFON's drawing only in a purple spot terminating the ridge of the bill, and in a reddish spot on each side of it.

Tribus DENTIROSTRES, Cuv.

Fam. Muscicapida, Vigors.-Genus Muscipeta, Cuv.

36. Musc. Paradisi, Cuv. Mas. Musc. alba; capite cristato colloque violaceo-atris ; pteromatibus remigibusque atris albo marginatis; rhachibus rectricum atris.

Fœm. Dorso, alis, caudaque castaneis; corpore subtùs albo ; gutture, collo, pectore, nucháque griseis, hác saturatiori; capite cristato violaceo-atro; remigibus fuscis. Longitudo corporis 10 unc., caudæ 6.

Muscicapa Paradisi, Linn. Paradise Fly-catcher, Lath. Avis Paradisiaca orientalis, Seba, 1. t. 52. f. 3. Pied Bird of Paradise, Edw., pl. 113.

37. Muscipeta Indica, Steph. vol. XIII. p. 3. Mas. Musc. corpore suprà castaneo, subtùs albo; pectore grisescenti; capite cristato colloque violaceo-atris.

t

Fœm. mari similis, rectricibus duabus mediis paullum elongatis.

Statura præcedentis. Irides intensè rufo-brunnæ.

Avis Paradisiaca cristata, Seba, 1. t. 30. f. 5. Upupa Paradisea, Linn. Promerops Indicus cristatus, Briss. Crested long-tailed Pie, Edw., pl. 325.

These two birds have lately been erroneously considered to belong to one species. They were never found however by Colonel SYKES (who shot many,) in the same locality, nor did he observe any intermediate stage of plumage. The difference between the females of the two birds noticed above at once decides the distinction of species. The two central tail-feathers of the males (not of the females) are elongated to three or four times the length of the body: in one specimen they are 15 inches long. They feed principally on the ground, and on very minute insects.

There has been much confusion among the early descriptions of these birds. LINNEUS describes the Musc. Indica as an Upupa; BRISSON as a Promerops; and others as a Pica, Icterus, Todus, Manucodiata, &c. The specific name of Indica seems to have the right of priority over that of castanea given by M. TEMMINCK, (See M. KUHL's Systematic Catalogue of the Pl. Enluminées, page 5,) as having originally been assigned to the bird by BRISSON. Other well marked species, nearly allied to the two preceding, the males of which have similarly elongated tail-feathers, are found in Africa and China.

38. Muscipeta flammea, Cuv. Gobe-mouche flammea, Temm., Pl. Col., 263. Male and Female.

The cry of this bird is wheet, wheet, wheet. In the colours, the female has yellow where the male has scarlet. Irides brown-black.

39. Muscipeta peregrina. Parus peregrinus, Linn. Crimson-rumped Fly-catcher, Lath. Genus Muscicapa, Auct.

40. Muscicapa melanops, Vigors. Figured in GOULD'S 'Century of Himmalayan Birds.'

41. Muscicapa Banyumas, Horsf. Banyumas Fly-catcher, Lath. Gobe-mouche chanteur, Temm.

42. MUSCICAPA POONENSIS. Musc. suprà cinereo-brunnea; subtùs sordidè albas mandibula superiori nigra, inferiori ad basin alba. Longitudo corporis 4.5 unc., caudæ 1.8.

These birds sit on the extreme twigs of trees, and dart on passing insects in the manner of the Merops viridis.

43. MUSCICAPA CERULEOCEPHALA.

Musc. cinereo-brunnea, cæruleo levitèr tincta;

capite thoraceque lazulinis; pectore sublazulino; abdomine crissoque albis. Longitudo corporis 5,7% unc., caudæ 23.

44. MUSCICAPA PICATA. Musc. suprà atra, subtùs sordidi alba; striga a mento ad nucham utrinque extendente, fascia alarum, uropygio, crisso, apicibusque rectricum duarum lateralium albis.

Longitudo corporis 54 unc.,

caudæa 23.

Genus Rhipidura, Vigors and Horsf. Fan-tailed Fly-catcher.

45. Rhipidura albofrontata, Frankl.

46. Rhipidura fuscoventris, Frankl.

Colonel SYKES has shot both these birds in the same localities. The male has a very sweet note. He spreads and raises his tail over his head in hopping from bough to bough. Both species have the aspect and habits of the Australian bird Muscicapa flabellifera, Gmel. Irides deep sepia brown.

Fam. Laniada, Vigors.

Genus Dicrurus, Vieill,-Edolius, Temm.

47. Dicrurus Balicassius. Corvus Balicassius, Linn.

48. Dicrurus cærulescens, Linn. Lanius Fingah, Shaw, t. 7. p. 291.

Genus Hypsipetes, Vigors.

49. HYPSIPETES GANEESA. Hyps. griseo-brunnea, subtùs pallidior; alis remigibusque brunneis; capite suprà vix cristato metallicè atro.

Longitudo corporis 10 unc., caudæ 4. Irides intensè rufo-brunneæ.

Tongue bifid, and deeply fringed; sexes exactly alike. Stony fruit found in the stomach. Neck short, and head sunk into the shoulders; flight very rapid. Found only in the dense woods of the Ghauts. The tongue is that of Pastor, the legs those of Dicrurus.

50. COLLURIO LAHTORA.

Genus Collurio, Vigors.

Coll, pallidè griseus; striga frontali per oculos utrinque ad nucham extendente, alis, rectricibusque mediis nigris; corpore subtùs, fascia alarum, scapularium marginibus, rectricibus externis, apicibusque duarum sequentium. Longitudo corporis 9 unc., caudæ 4.

This is the variety C. of Lanius Excubitor of Dr. LATHAM. It is closely allied to the North American and European Lan. Excubitor, but differs in the black bar extending across the forehead. The male has a sweet note.

51. Collurio erythronotus, Vigors. Proceed. Zool. Soc. I. p. 42.

This bird differs from the Lan. Bentet of Dr. HORSFIELD only in the crown being ash-coloured instead of black, and in the defined black bar across the forehead.

52. Jun.? abdomine graciliter fasciato.

Supposed young of the above. Length 74 inches: tail 3.

53. Collurio Hardwickii, Vigors, Proceed. Zool. Soc., I. p. 42. Bay-backed small Shrike, Lath.

Genus Lanius, Auct.

54. Lanius Muscicapoïdes, Frankl. Keroula Shrike, Lath.

A rare bird. Colonel SYKES's specimen, a female, corresponds with Major FRANK, LIN's specific characters, and with his specimen, a male bird.

Genus Graucalus, Cuv.

55. Graucalus Papuensis, Cuv. Corvus Papuensis, Gmel. Papuan Crow, Lath. Irides, rich lake.

Genus Ceblepyris, Cuv.

56. Ceblepyris fimbriatus, Temm. Echenilleur frangé Pl. Col. Irides orange. Colonel SYKES's birds, full-grown males, correspond only to the female of Ceb. fimbriatus, and not at all to the male. Met with only in thick hedges on the plains.

57. Ceblepyris canus. Le Grand Gobe-mouche cendré de Madagascar, Pl. Enl. 521. Irides, intense red brown. Black ants only found in the stomach. This bird does not correspond with the later descriptions of Ceb. canus (Muscicapa cana), and the history of both these species of Ceblepyris requires further illustration. Found only in thick bushes. Specimens of both species from Bengal and Wynaad resemble those collected by Colonel SYKES.

(To be Continued.)