Page:Stray feathers. Journal of ornithology for India and its dependencies (IA strayfeathersjou11873hume).pdf/37

Rh beautiful, and for its size most powerful, little falcon. In both specimens the sexes were ascertained and recorded by, I need not say, careful observers. The female was measured in the flesh, and I append her dimensions as well as a few of those of the male taken from the dry skins. It will be seen that while the wings agree well enough with Mr. Salvin's measurements, the female bird as measured in the flesh was very considerably longer than he estimated his from the dry skin.

Dimensions.—(Female killed on the 16th December, 1869, Nursingpoor.) Length, 15-5 inches; expanse, 36-4 inches; wing, 11.4 inches; tail, 6 inches; tarsus, 18 inch; mid toe to root of claw, 1.8 inch; its chow straight, 0.7 inch; hind toe, 0-8 inch its claw, 0.78 inch; inner toe, 'l ineh : its claw, 0.68 inch; bill straight from edge of cere to point, 0.7 inch; from gape, l'l iuch; width of gape, 1.1 inch ; height at front at margin of cere, 0.12 inch; length of cere, 0.3 inch; closed wings extend 1-9 inch beyond end of tail. Lower tail coperts fall short of end of tail by 1-25 inch; Ist quills, 0-35, 3rd quills, 0:0, 4th quill, 1:1 inchies shorter than 2nd, which is longest. Exterior tail feathers, 0-4 inches, shorter than central ones. Weight, 1 lb. 2 oz.

(Male killed January, 1872, in Cutch) Length, (actual of skin, 12.75 inches, say in life about) 14 inches; wing, 10-S incles; tail, 5 inches; tarsus, 1.6 inches, actnally feathered in front for about 0.6 inclı; mid toe to root of claw, 1.03 inch; 1st primary, 0-3 inch; 2ud, 0-55, and 4th, l'15 shorter than the 2ud, which is longest.

The great size of the feet of the male, as compared with the size of the whole bird, is very conspicuous,

A. O. H.

 

accurate has, as far as I know, yet been published about the breedings of the black-winged kite. Common as this species is during the cold season in many parts of India, it has hitherto eluded most of our Indian oologists.

The merit of taking the first nest of this species belongs to my friend, Mr. F. R. Blewitt, to whom 1 one more rare eggs than to any one else in India. Mr. Blewitt's extraordinary practical knowledge of the habits of birds and his persevering observations of them reader it difficult for any species that breeds within twenty miles of his station to escape him. Grauculus Mucii, Volvociroru Melaschisle, Brachyurus Chromalıts, and many others first,