542 SYSTEMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — BAPTORES — A CCIPITRES. 



cooperi), or of very partial distribution in N. Am. In all cases, the sexes are alike or similar; 



the 9 is larger than the ^ ; the young are different from the adults ; melanism is frequently 



exhibited. 



Analysis of Subgenera and Species. 



Five outer primaries emarginate or sinuate on inner webs ; tail more than § the wing ; ])ill high at base ; 

 nostrils oval, with eccentric tubercle. (Parabuteo.) 



Tail blackish (with white base and tip) ; lesser wing-coverts and tibise reddish ; general plumage 



blackish. Southwestern U. S., common unicinctus 512 



Four outer primaries emarginate or sinuate on inner web.s. 



Tail white, with a broad black subterminal zone and numerous very narrow, zig-zag, or broken, 

 blackish cross-lines. Texas albncaudatus 613 



Tail mostly white, ashy-clouded ; marked lengthwise with rufous and darker ; and with dark sub- 

 terminal zone ; under parts mostly white. Gala., one specimen known cooperi 514 



Tail mottled with dusky and white, and with subterminal blackish zone; showing also reddish 

 touches. Plumage almost entirely blackish, with fleecy-white bases of feathers. Kas. to Tex., 

 little known harlani 515 



Tail of adult chestnut-red, with broad black subterminal bar, and others or not ; no reddish on wing- 

 coverts ; white prevailing on under parts, especially breast. Tail of young closely barred with 

 • grayish and blackish. Largest and most robust ; wing usually 14.00 or more ; tarsus stout. 

 , N. Am., abundant borealis 516-519 



Tail of adult black, crossed by about 6 white bars ; primaries sjiotted with white ; lesser wing-coverts 

 reddish, like under parts. Tail of young dusky, numerously barred with whitish ; under parts 

 •whitish, streaked with dusky. Less robust ; wing usually under 14.00 ; tarsus slender. N. Am., 

 abundant lineatus 520, 521 



Tail of adult black, with 3 broad white zones on inner webs only of the feathers, ashy on outer webs ; 

 plumage black, spotted or not with white. Tail of young dusky, inner webs mostly white, 



black-barred. Southwestern U. S abbreviatus 522 



Three outer primaries emarginate or sinuate on inner webs. 



Tail numerously and narrowly cross-barred with lighter and darker. Plumage extremely variable, 

 but not extensively reddish underneath, nor cheeks with a dark mustache. Large ; wing usually 

 over 13.00. Chiefly western U. S., abundant swainsoni 523 



Tail of adult blackish with about 3 light gray bands exposed ; under parts extensively rufous ; 

 a dark moustache. Small; wing under 12.00. Eastern IT. S, common .... pennsylvaniciis 524 



Tail (of adult ?) crossed with numerous light and dark bars (6-8 of each); general color fuliginous, 

 scarcely or not varied. Southwestern U. S brachyurus 8»2, 883 



* Heavy-weights ; 5 outer primaries cut. 

 513. B. unicin'ctiis har'risi. (Lat. ?(»»-, once; emc^MS, girdled. To Edw. Hams.) Harris's 

 Buzzard. Adult $ 9 : General plumage blackish, more or less intense, sometimes rather 

 diirk chocolate-brown, blackening on wings and tail, but in any case pretty uniform over tlie 

 whole body. Lesser and part of middle Aving-coverts, lining of wings, and the tibiae, brownish- 

 red, or rich chestnut. Tail-coverts and base of tail broadly white, thus girdling the whole 

 figure ; end of tail also white for an inch or more. Length of $ about 20.00 ; extent 41 .00- 

 46.00; wing 12.50-13.50 ; tail 8.50-9.50; tarsus 3.00-3.25; middle toe without claw 2.00. 

 9 larger; about 23.00; extent 43.00-47-00; wing 13.50-14.50; tail 9.50-10.50. Young: 

 Less decidedly blackish, the upper parts varied with rusty-brown, lower quite tawny with 

 dusky spots or streaks, chestnut of wings not unbroken, and white of tail less distinctly defined. 

 Tibiae tawny-white, distinctly barred with chestnut. But in any plumage the species is un- 

 mistakable, forming a separate subgenus from Buteo proper, by some ranked as a genus ; 

 the loral region is extensively denuded to the eye, and furnished with short radiating bristles. 

 In some resj)ects it resembles Polyhorus, being a sluggish, carrion-feeding bird, usually found 

 associated with the caracara, turkey-buzzard, and black vulture. It is a common inhabitant of 

 the warmer parts of America and over our Mexican border ; abundant in some parts of Texas. 

 Nest in a tree or bush ; eggs commonly 2, measuring 2.00-2.10 X 1-70, white or whitish, 

 unmarked or with faint brownish- yellow. (Parabuteo Ridg. Erythrocnema Sharpe.) 



** Heavy-weights ; 4 outer primaries cut. 

 513. B. albocauda'tus. (Lat. aZhws, white ; caM^Za^MS, tailed.) AVhite-tailed Buzzard. Adult 

 ^ 9 : Tail and its coverts white, with a broad black subterminal zone, with numerou>; 



