360 



FALCONlD^ 



MELlBRAX 



Genus XXII. MELIERAX. 



Type. 



Melierax, Gray, List Gen. 5. i, p. 5 (1840) M. canorus. 



Bill moderate, the edge of the upper mandible slightly festooned, 

 sides of the face feathered ; nostrils exposed, rounded, well ■within 

 the cere and provided with a bony tubercle ; wings long and. 



Fig. 121. — Foot of Melierax canorus. x ,|. 



pointed ; tail square or slightly graduated ; tibia and tarsus almost 

 equal in length ; tarsus covered with well-marked transverse plates 

 in front and behind, with smaller scales between ; middle toe of 

 moderate length, without claw almost equal to or less than twice 

 the ridge of the culmen. 



This is a purely African genus containing seven species, four of 

 which are found in South Africa. 



Key of the Species. 



A. Larger, wing over 10"0. 



a. Upper tail-coverts pure white M. canorus, p. 361. 



h. Upper tail-coverts white, closely barred with 



slaty-grey M. mechoivi, p. 363.' 



B. Smaller, wing under 8*0. 



