WHITE-TAILED HAWK. 93 



in the United States, it is more than probable, that the 

 principal part of the species are constant residents in the 

 warmer parts of the American continent. 



In length this species is 14 inches, and 36 in the stretch 

 of the wings. (The European Kite is 24 inches to CO or up- 

 wards in alar extent, which is nearly the same proportion.) 

 The bill, cere, lores, and narrow line round the eye are black. 

 Wings very long and pointed, the 3d quill longest ; the primaries 

 black, marked down each side of the shaft with reddish sorrel, and 

 their coverts slightly touched with the same. All the upper plum- 

 age at the roots white ; the scapulars are also spotted with white 

 beneath. Tail slightly forked, and, as well as the rump, black. 



Subgenus. — Elanus. {Cuvier. Bonap.) 



Bill moderately strong, compressed and rounded above ; the mouth 

 cleft beyond the eyes ; the lobe of the upper mandible obtuse ; cere 

 villous ; nostrils oval. — Tarsi short, thick, reticulated (or with the 

 scales scattered) in front, feathered half way down ; toes cleft to 

 the base ; the nails large and acute, the outer very small. Wings 

 very long ; the 1st and 3d primaries nearly equal ; the 1st and 2d 

 strongly indented on the inner web ; the 2d longest. 



These are timorous birds with a comparatively small and weak bill ; 

 they excel in flight, describing graceful circles in the air ; yet they 

 seldom attack their prey flying, but dart upon it when at rest. They 

 feed on small birds, insects, more particularly reptiles, and occasion- 

 ally devour dead animals. 



WHITE-TAILED HAWK. 



{Falco dispar, Temm. Bonap. Am. Orn. ii. p. 18. pi. 11. fig. 2. 

 [adult female] . ) 



Spec. Charact. — Bluish-grey, beneath white ; wing-coverts black ; 

 tail even, outer feathers shortest. 



This beautiful Hawk, scarcely distinguishable from a 

 second, African species of this section, chiefly inhabits 



