159. _Accipiter nisus_: The Sparrow-Hawk. (F. 1247), (J. 24), (+III.)
This species, which is a cold-weather visitor to India, is very like No. 158 in habits and appearance. It is, however, characterised by having long legs. It is bolder and swifter in its movements. (Illus. B. D., p. 84; also B. B., p. 21.)
160. _Falco jugger_: The Laggar Falcon. (F. 1257), (J. 11), (+III.)
Several species of falcon occur in India. This one is, I think, the commonest.
It is a brownish bird barred and spotted all over with white. It looks like a large sparrow-hawk with long pointed wings. But it does not make one dash at its prey after the manner of the sparrow-hawk; it is a strong flier and settles down to a long chase in the open country. Its eyes are dark. Natives call falcons dark-eyed hawks, and sparrow-hawks light-eyed hawks.
161. _Æsalon chicquera_: The Turumti, or Red-headed Merlin. (F. 1264), (J. 16), (+III.)
Head and a stripe on the cheek chestnut. Back and tail grey barred with dark brown; under parts whitish with black streaks and bars.
This species lives largely on small birds and often hunts in couples.
162. _Tinnunculus alaudaris_: The Kestrel; the English "Windhover." (F. 1265), (J. 17), (+III.)
Head, neck, and tail grey, back and wings brick-red. Lower parts cream-coloured spotted with brown. The red back makes the bird easy to identify, as does its method of hunting its quarry. It flies over the open country, and every now and then hovers on rapidly vibrating wings over some spot where it thinks it espies some lizard or other animal. If there is an animal there it drops quietly on it, otherwise it passes on and hovers elsewhere.
It is a winter visitor to the plains of India.
These beautiful birds are strictly arboreal. They go about in small companies, but so closely do they assimilate in colour to their leafy surroundings that it is difficult to make them out. They feed exclusively on fruit.
163. _Crocopus phoenicopterus_: The Bengal Green Pigeon. (F. 1271), (J. 772), (+III.)
A bright yellowish-green bird. Head, lower breast, and tail dove colour. Some lilac and a yellow bar on the wing. Legs orange-yellow.
Found in the Eastern Punjab, U. P., and Bengal. In the Punjab, U. P., and the whole of the peninsula of India is found the next species.