Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 6 (1902).djvu/259

Rh and kept feeding her on large beetles. The process of eating the beetles was effected in this manner: The female would throw back her head, and, after two or three gulps, the beetle would be swallowed. She would then shake her tail and shut her eyes with evident satisfaction. A pair of these Owls some years ago built their nest in the thatch of the house here. For some reason or other one of them took a violent dislike to my father, and as soon as he showed himself outside the door, down would pounce the Owl, and commence a vigorous attack on his head; and on one occasion, whilst he was sitting with other people in the garden, the Owl lifted the cap from off his head. From the castings I have examined, their food seems to consist of insects and bats, and on one occasion I found in one nest a half-grown rat. A nest I found in an outhouse contained three young birds and one fresh egg. I took the young away, together with the parent bird, which was caught on the nest. I kept her for a day, and then released her. About a month after three fresh eggs were found in the same nest, but whether they were laid by the same bird is not certain, though I think it very probable they were.

Ninox scutulata, Raffl. (Brown Hawk Owl).—Mr. Inglis writes:—"Very rare. A single specimen procured at Jainagar."

Asio accipitrinus, Pall. (Short-eared Owl).—I have only one specimen in my collection, given me by Mr. Inglis.

Pandion haliaëtus, Linn. (Osprey).—A common cold weather migrant.

Otogyps calvus, Scop. (Black Vulture).—Very common. Lays one large white egg. Nest situated in high trees. I once found a nest in January.

Pseudogyps bengalensis, Gmel. (Indian White-backed Vulture).—Common. Breeds in November, December, and January.

Neophron ginginianus, Lath. (Small White Scavenger Vulture). Very common. Breeds in February, March, April, and May. A nest I found in April contained two newly-hatched young. The nest was a large mass of sticks placed at the top of a high pepul tree (Ficus religiosa).

Aquila hastata, Less. (Small Indian Spotted Eagle).—A young bird of this species was procured by Mr. Inglis at Jainagar in August, 1899.