364 CIRCUS. HARRIER. 



Nostrils large, ovato-oblong, in the middle and fore part of 

 the cere, and having an oblique plate from the upper edge. 

 Eyes large ; eyelids feathered and ciliated ; the lachrymal ridge 

 not projecting. Aperture of ear very large, elliptical or oblong, 

 with a bare space extending from it to the base of the lower 

 jaw. 



Head of moderate size, ovate ; neck rather short ; body very 

 slender, much compressed behind. Tibia long and muscular ; 

 tarsus long, slender, compressed, "with a series of large oblique 

 scutella on the fore and outer part, reticular oblong scales on 

 the sides, and scutella behind, unless at the upper and lower 

 parts. Toes rather small, slender ; prominently padded be- 

 neath, scutellate above unless at the base ; the third and fourth 

 connected by a pretty large basal web ; first stouter, but con- 

 siderably shorter than the second, third much longer, fourth 

 longer than the second. Claws long, moderately curved, slen- 

 der, compressed, rounded above, flat beneath, tapering to a fine 

 point. Those of the first and second toes much larger, that of 

 the third with a dilated thin inner edge. Fig. 232. 



Plumage very soft, and generally blended. Loral spaces and 

 sides of the cere covered with rather long, bristle-tipped jjlume- 

 lets, partially concealing the nostrils. Feathers oblong, and 

 rounded ; those of the head of moderate length, of the neck 

 bulky. A distinct ruff of narrow decurved feathers extends from 

 behind the eye to the throat. On the sides the feathers are 

 elongated, on the abdomen downy, on the outer part of the 

 tibia long. AVings long, broad, much rounded, of twenty- 

 three quills ; primaries rather broad, obtuse ; the fourth and 

 third longest, the first much shorter, being about equal to the 

 seventh ; the outermost four having the inner web sinuously 

 cut out toward the end ; and with the outer web attenuated ; 

 secondaries broad, broadly rounded, with a minute tip. Tail 

 long, nearly even, or rounded, of twelve broad rounded feathers. 



In this genus the general appearance approaches to that of 

 Accipiter. The bill is intermediate in form between that of 

 Accipiter and Buteo ; the elongated tarsi resemble those of the 

 former genus, and the toes might belong to either. The plu- 

 mage, especially in the females, is almost as soft as in some 



