The RED-NECKED FALCON (_Falco ruficollis_), the smallest and most
beautiful of the many kinds found in Asia and Africa, is very nearly
related to the bird above described, and is replaced in India by a very
similar species called the TURUMDI (_Falco Chiquera_). The head and
nape of the neck of the _Falco ruficollis_ are rust red, streaked here
and there with a dark shade upon the shafts of the feathers; the back,
wing-covers, and small quills are of a deep grey (which during the life
of the bird has a blueish gloss), and is marked with irregular black
spots; the shoulder is light reddish yellow, the tail is dark grey, with
a broad white tip, and ornamented with eight or ten white stripes; the
throat is also white, the fore part of the neck, breast, belly, and
thighs are light yellowish red, thickly marked with dark grey stripes;
the very prominent beard and a streak over the eyes are black, the eye
itself is deep brown, the beak greenish yellow, tipped with greyish blue;
the feet are light orange. The male is eleven inches long, and twenty-two
inches broad; the wings measure seven inches, and the tail four inches
and a quarter. The female, on the contrary, is thirteen inches long,
twenty-six and a half broad; her wing measures about eight inches, and
her tail five inches and a half.
[Illustration: THE FALCONER.]
According to our own observations these beautiful birds are met with
south of sixteen degrees north latitude, exclusively frequenting date
palms, the broad, fan-like leaves of which form a capital foundation on
which to build their eyries. Only on one occasion have we ever seen them
on any other tree, but Heuglin tells us that in Central Africa they are
also found amongst the Dhuléb palms. A solitary tree of this description
is sufficient to induce a couple to settle upon it, and from this lofty
and commanding eminence they descend to capture such Weaver Birds, or
other small feathered victims, as approach them, darting upon them with
a velocity and dexterity that, in our opinion, will bear comparison with
the powers of flight possessed by any of their congeners. Large birds
they seldom or never attack, and will live not only at peace with them,
but actually allow one kind, the Guinea Pigeon (_Stictoenas Guinea_),
to build upon the same branch. We never succeeded in our endeavours
to inspect one of their eyries closely, as the Dhuléb palm is quite
inaccessible to climbers.
[Illustration: THE TREE FALCON (_Hypotriorchis subbuteo_).]
We shall confine ourselves to Jerdon's description of the Turumdi. This
bird is found throughout the whole of India, but is most numerous in the
open country, where it prefers the vicinity of man, and rather avoids
than seeks the recesses of the woods and forests. It hunts in pairs, and
lives principally upon small birds, such as Larks, Sparrows, or Water
Wagtails, and will eat field mice. The eyrie of the Turumdi is built at
the summit of a lofty tree, and usually contains four eggs of a yellowish
brown colour, sprinkled with brown spots. The young leave the nest at
the end of March or beginning of April. This species is sometimes tamed
by the Hindoos, and employed in the pursuit of Quails, Partridges, and
similar birds. We have known instances in which they have been trained by
their masters to hunt in parties.