AQUILINE. 197 



179. PERNIS APIVORUS. 



(HONEY-BUZZARD.) 



Falco apivoriis, Liuneus, Syst. Nat. i. p. 130 (1766). 



The Honey-Buzzard varies in length of wing (from carpal joint) 

 from 17^ to 15 inches. It varies greatly in colour, but the tail 

 always has four broad dark bands across it. It is easily recognized 

 by the small feathers on the lores. 



Figures : Dresser, Birds of Europe, vi. pi. 365 (male and female 

 adult), pis. 364-, 366 (immature). 



The Honey-Buzzard appears to be a very rare bird in Japan. 

 There is one example in the Ley den Museum, probably from Naga- 

 saki, obtained during the Siebold Expedition (Temminck and Schlegel, 

 Fauna Japonica, Aves, p. 24) ; and Captain Blakiston has recorded 

 in the ' Chrysanthemum' the capture of a fine male (without crest) 

 by Mr. Jouy at Cliiuscnji, in Tokio, during August. 



The range of the Honey-Buzzard during the breeding-season 

 extends from the British Islands across Europe and Southern Siberia 

 to Japan. 



AQUILIN.E. 



180. MILVUS ATER. 

 (BLACK KITE.) 

 Falco ater, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. i. p. 2G2 (1783). 



Japanese examples of the Black Kite belong to the large Siberian 

 race, which was described in 1845 as Milviis melanotis (Temminck and 

 Schlegel, Fauna Japonica, Aves, p. 14), and which may fairly claim 

 to be regarded as subspecifically distinct, under the name of Milvus 

 ater melanotis. 



The Siberian race of the Black Kite is a large form (wing from 

 carpal joint 21^ to 18^ inches). It is easily recognized amongst 

 other Japanese birds of prey by its forked tail. 



Figures : Temminck and Schlegel, Fauna Japonica, Aves, pi. 5 

 (brown phase), pi. 5 b (rufous phase). 



The Siberian Black Kite is a very common resident in Japan. It 



