94 BIRDS OF PREY. 



the continent of South America, as far as Paraguay. In 

 the United States it is only seen occasionally in the pen- 

 insula of East Florida, confining its visits to the south- 

 ern extremity of the Union. It appears to be very shy 

 and difficult of approach, flying in easy circles at a mod- 

 erate elevation, or at times seated on the deadened 

 branches of the majestic live-oak, it attentively watches 

 the borders of the salt marshes and watery situations for 

 the field-mice of that country, or unwary Sparrows, that 

 approach its perch. The bird of Africa and India is 

 said to utter a sharp and piercing cry, which is often re- 

 peated, while he moves in the air. They build in the 

 forks of trees, a broad and shallow nest, lined internally 

 with moss and feathers. The eggs are 4 or 5. 



The female of this species is about 16J inches long, and 3 feet 5^ 

 inches in alar extent. Sides of the head, neck, and body, and all be- 

 neath white. Head pearl-grey, becoming gradually darker towards the 

 neck and back, from the front, which is white. Above bluish ash ; 

 smaller and middle wing-coverts black ; primaries slate color. 1st 

 primary a little shorter than the 3d ; the 2d longest. The closed 

 wings attain within an inch to the tip of the tail ; the latter being 

 7 inches long, slightly notched, and with the outer feather more 

 than half an inch shorter than the adjoining one ; the middle feath- 

 ers pale bluish-slate, all the rest pure white. Legs and feet orange- 

 yellow ; tarsus covered with small reticulated scales ; toes all separ- 

 ated to the base ; the nails, except the middle one, rounded beneath. 

 Bill black ; cere orange-yellow and bristly. Iris brownish red. — 

 The male, smaller and somewhat darker, tinged with ferruginous. 



