HARPAGUS.—MICRASTUR. 107 
have been shot in the Valley of Mexico, was the first evidence of its occurrence so far 
north, but Sumichrast afterwards met with it at various places, as recorded above 4. 
We have an example from Nicaragua procured by Mr. Richardson at La Libertad 
in Chontales in January, and Mr. Nutting found the species at San Juan del Sur® and 
also at Sucuya®. From Costa Rica our collectors sent us both mature and immature 
examples, and recently the British Museum received skins from David in Chiriqui from 
Mr. Watson. . 
H. fasciatus is not known to occur beyond the limits of Central America, and 
no information of its habits is forthcoming. A living bird brought by natives to 
Mr. Nutting refused food and was quite untameable. 
Subfam. MIJCRASTURINE. 
This subfamily includes one genus, Micrastur, with several species, all belonging to 
Central and South America. 
According to Mr. Ridgway’s analysis of the relative positions of his groups, the 
Micrastures are associated with the Falcones and Polybori rather than with Herpeto- 
theres. In reality, the former are quite as distinct as any of the others, if not more so. 
The long tail and short wings, together with the long legs, have usually led to Micrastur 
being associated with <Astur and Accipiter, but the position of the scapular process 
of the coracoid with respect to the clavicle shows that this apparent relationship cannot 
be relied on. Moreover, the presence of a partial facial ruff and a large ear-opening 
suggests an affinity to Circus. Mr. Ridgway gives the Micrastures the following 
characters :—** Posterior toe abbreviated, very much shorter than the lateral pair; tarsi 
and toes covered with small hexagonal scales, larger infront. Nostril, a large opening 
with bony-rimmed margin or central tubercle. Superciliary process of the lachrymal 
elongated, broad, extending nearly across the orbit. Tomia without tooth or notch. 
Posterior margin of sternum as in Falcones, viz., nearly even, with a pair of large oval 
fenestra. Four or more outer primaries with inner webs sinuated near the inner 
portion.” 
MICRASTUR. 
Micrastur, G. R. Gray, List Gen. Birds, p. 6 (1841); Scl. & Salv. P. Z. S. 1869, p. 364; Ridgw. 
Pr. Acad. Phil. 1875, p. 470; Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. i. p. 74. 
In general appearance the species of Micrastur are stout and thick-set birds. and 
bear some resemblance to the smaller Goshawks; but, for the reasons given above, we 
prefer to keep them as a separate subfamily in the vicinity of Herpetotheres. 
1. Micrastur melanoleucus. 
Negri blanco, Azara, Apunt. 1. p. 124°. 
Fazxado, Azara, Apunt, i. p. 126°. 
14* 
