Birds of the Indian Hills

by Douglas Dewar

THE STRIGIDÆ OR OWL FAMILY

50. Ketupa zeylonensis. The brown fish-owl. A large bird with aigrettes. The eyes are bright yellow. The legs are devoid of feathers. The call is a series of grunts.

THE VULTURIDÆ OR VULTURE FAMILY

51. Neophron ginginianus. The smaller white scavenger vulture. This occurs up to at least 5000 feet. Fairbank did not observe any other vultures on the higher hills, but it is unlikely that Pseudogyps bengalensis (the white-backed vulture), Gyps indicus (the long-billed vulture), and Otogyps calvus (the black or Pondicherry vulture) do not visit the higher hills. These three birds should be looked for, especially the first.

THE FALCONIDÆ OR FAMILY OF BIRDS OF PREY

52. Ictinaëtus malayensis. The black eagle. Not very common.

53. Milvus govinda. The common pariah kite. Fairbank did not see this above 3000 feet.

54. Haliastur indus. The Brahmany kite. Occurs up to at least 4000 feet.

55. Tinnunculus alaudarius. The kestrel.

THE COLUMBIDÆ OR DOVE FAMILY