Page:Stray feathers. Journal of ornithology for India and its dependencies (IA strayfeathersjou11873hume).pdf/349



Vol. I. ]   JULY, 1873. [ No. 5.

Since ray former notice (vide page 290,) I have received additional information of great interest to the ornithologist.

I have two specimens of the eagle known as Aquila orientalis, Cab., and erroneously termed by some authors Aq. clanga of Pallas. One of these specimens was sent to me by Dr. Bree of Colchester, and is labelled Aq. orientalis, Cabanis, in Mr. Gurney's own handwriting, the other was sent me by Mr. Dresser, and was shot near Sarepta.

The extreme similarity of these two birds to our Indian Aquila bifasciata when nearly mature, frequently struck me; but none of my Indian specimens corresponded exactly with them as regarded the tail, although in other respects they accorded perfectly. Now, however, I have just received Indian examples of Aq. bifasciata, with tails exactly corresponding with those of the two European A. orientalis above referred to. I have no hesitation whatever in pronouncing the two species to be identical. Aq. bifasciata is, I believe, the older term, and if so, Aq. orientalis, Cab., will sink into a synonym.

I have thus now in my possession three examples of Aq. bifasciata shot in Europe, which I consider quite sufficient to establish the species as European. I keep them by me with their Indian counterparts, and whoever doubts my conclusion can satisfy himself by examination. It was not to be expected that a migratory eagle of similar size and power to A. mogilnik should be restricted to Eastern Europe, considering that we have in India A. chryscRtos, A. mogilnik vel imperialis, A. ncBvioides and A. navia.

The migratory eagles are not local, but are, as a rule, very widely spread.

Speaking of the mature example of Aq. bifasciata which was sent to me by Captain Elwes, Mr. Gurney (Ibis, 1870, pp. 67 and 68) attaches considerable importance to the two parti-colored