FALCONIDJE — B UTEONINjE : B UZZARDS. 



b^l 



more or less tinged and varied, in different specimens, with light chestnut. In some males, this 

 chestnut is diminished to traces, chiefly in tiank-bars and arrow-heads, and the white throat is 

 immaculate ; in others, the throat shows blackish pencilling, and the rest of the under parts are 

 so much marked with chestnut, (ihiefly in cross-bars, that this color predominates over the 

 white, and appears in direct continuation of tlie pectoral area itself. Some feathers of this area 

 are commonly dark brown. Length 19.00-20.00; extent about 49.00; wing 15.00 or a little 

 more; uiil 8.50 ; tarsus 2.50; middle toe without claw 1.50. Adult 9 '■ Much darker under- 

 neath than the male ; throat pure white, but other under parts probably never whitening 

 decidedly. Pectoral area from rich dark chestnut or mahogany-color, mixed with still darker 



Fro. 381. — Buteo vulgaris of Europe, \ nat. size; not distinguishable in the cut from one of the plumages ot 

 B. sioainsoni. (FromBrehm.) 



feathers, to brownish -black ; and other under parts heavily marked with chestnut, chiefly in 

 cross-bars alternating with whitish, but on the flanks, and sometimes across the belly, these 

 markings quite blackish. The general tone of the under parts may be quite as dark as the 

 pectoral area of the male, but it lacks uniformity, and the increased depth of color of the 

 pectoral area in this sex suflSces to preserve the strong contrast already mentioned. Length 

 20.00-22.00; extent 50.00-54.00 ; wing 15.00-10.50; tail 9.00. Changes of plumage ^vith age 

 affect chiefly the under parts ; the back, wings, and tail are more nearly alike at all times. 

 Young (J 9 • Entire upper parts dark brown, everywhere varied with tawny edgings of the 

 individual feathers. The younger the bird, the more marked is the variegation ; it corresponds 

 in tints closely with the color of the under parts, being palest in very young examples. Under 

 parts, including lining of wings, nearly uniform fawn-oolor (pale dull yellowish-brown), 



