52, FALCONIDZA. 
three species or races which it contains spreading over nearly the whole of the warmer 
portions of the region. 
In Mexico and Central America we find a fairly well-marked race distinguished by 
the blackness of its plumage from either of the others of the South-American continent. 
It represents the genus in the north as far as Mazatlan in Western, and Cordova in 
Eastern Mexico. 
Regarding the affinities of this genus, Mr. Ridgway has recorded that the tibio- 
tarsal joint is flexible both forwards and backwards, as in the African genus Polyboroides, 
and on this and other grounds considers that the two forms are allied—a view held by 
Gurney both prior to Mr. Ridgway’s observations and subsequently. 
The position of these genera must remain uncertain until such time as more complete 
dissections have been made and comparisons instituted. In the meantime, though we 
leave Geranospizias in the Accipitrine, we do so witha conviction that it will be 
ultimately removed elsewhere, as neither its structure, so far as we know it, or habits 
are in conformity with the true Accipitrine. 
The genus is described by Mr. Ridgway as follows :—“ Form very slender, the wings 
and tail very long, the head small, bill weak, and tarsi extremely long and slender. 
Outer toe very much shorter and weaker than the inner, and about equal in length to 
the posterior, its claw disproportionately small and weak. ‘Tibio-tarsal joint flexible 
both backwards and forwards. Secondaries much developed, reaching nearly to the 
end of the primaries, and very broad. Bill much as in Misus [i. e. Accipiter] ; nostril 
obliquely horizontal, oval. Tarsus about two anda half times as long as the middle 
toe, with frontal and posterior series of broad transverse scutelle, these being often fused 
into continuous plates; claws normal. ‘Tibial feathers short and close, not plume-lke. 
Wing long, but the primaries not much longer than the secondaries, the fourth to the 
sixth quills longest, the first the shortest and much bowed; outer six with inner webs 
sinuated. Tail long, nearly equal to the wing, rounded, the feathers very broad.” 
(Ridgway, Pr. Bost. Soc. N. H. xiv. p. 276.) 
We have no means of ascertaining the relative positions of the ends of the coracoid, 
scapular, and clavicle in this genus, which should have a determining influence in fixing 
the position of Geranospizias. 
—1. Geranospizias niger. 
Ischnosceles niger, Du Bus, Bull. Ac. Brux. xiv. p. 102"; Esq. Orn. t. 16°; Salv. P.Z.S. 1870, 
p- 216°. 
Geranospiza nigra, Scl. & Salv. P. Z. 8. 1870, p. 838 *; Lawr. Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus. no. 4, p. 39°. 
Geranospizias niger, Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. 1. p. 82°; Sumichrast, La Nat. v. p. 2357; 
Zeledon, An. Mus. Nac. Costa Rica, 1887, p. 127°; Salv. Ibis, 1889, p. 375°; 1890 
p. 89". 
Geranospiza gracilis, Scl. P. Z. S. 1856, p. 285". 
