424 Mr. N, A. Vigors on the Natural Affinities 



also it agrees with each ; the bird being occasionally observed, 

 like the Vultures, to feed upon carrion, and at other times, like 

 the Falcons, to pursue a living prey. 



If we search in the last place for the connexion between the 

 FalconiclfS and the Strigida, we shall not fail to find their affinity 

 apparent, as is usual, in the less typical part of the two groups. 

 In the latter family some species may be observed gradually ap- 

 proaching the Falcons in their diurnal habits and the lateral posi- 

 tion of the eyes ; and at the same time deserting their own con- 

 geners in losing the large orifice to the ear, the disk that sur- 

 rounds the face, and the egrets that decorate the head of the type 

 of the family. The genus Surnia, Dumer., which includes the 

 " Chouettes Eperviers" of the French naturalists, is the most acci- 

 pitrine of the group. In addition to the approximation already 

 pointed out, the bill and tail of this genus, more lengthened 

 than those of the Owls in general, give it a still stronger resem- 

 blance to the FalconidcB. The group of Buzzards among the 

 latter family appears to come most closely to the Owls, in their 

 slow and heavy flight, the softness of their plumage, and their 

 slothful and cowardly habits. The genus Circus of Bechstein in 

 particular, of which our Hen Harrier gives a familiar example, 

 may be observed to possess a peculiar elongation and erection of 

 the face-feathers, which bears some resemblance to the disk that 

 encircles the face of the Strigida, and it may therefore be par- 

 ticularized, from among those groups, at least, which are most 

 known to us, as exhibiting the nearest approach to Surnia. 



There is thus little diflSculty in selecting the four families just 

 mentioned for the purpose of filling up the place of four of the 

 subdivisions of the Raptor es ; and in all probability, when the or- 

 der comes to be more perfectly and accurately understood, these 

 families will be found to be connected together in the succession 

 in which they have now been examined. A fifth subdivision as yet 

 is wanting. That there is room however for such an additional 



group. 



