bee-HAWk: 257 



middle, rounded at the sides, of twelve broad, rounded 

 but acuminate feathers. 



The genus Pernis, which was first instituted by Cu- 

 vier, is represented in Europe by the species commonly 

 known by the name of Honey Buzzard, Pernis apivo- 

 rus. It is from that species alone that I have con- 

 structed the above generic character, which therefore 

 requires revision. It is intermediate between the buz- 

 zards and the kites. From the former it differs in ha- 

 ving the bill more elongated, the cere broader, the feet 

 much shorter, the tarsi anteriorly scaly instead of being 

 scutellate, the second toe proportionally longer, the 

 general form more elongated, the wings and tail much 

 longer. The plumage of the head differs not only from 

 that of the buzzards, but of every other genus of this 

 great family known to me, there being no bristles about 

 the bill, or on the eyelids, but the loral spaces and eye- 

 lids covered with small compact imbricated feathers. 

 These characters point out the genus Pernis, not only 

 as quite distinct, but as better marked than any other 

 in the family, excepting Gypogeranus. 



" The nearest approach to this genus (and by which 

 it becomes closely allied to the other buzzards) appears 

 to be Buteo Lagopus, where a covering of small downy 

 feathers is visible beneath the projecting hairs." So 

 says Mr Selby, and Mr Swainson states that the lores 

 of Buteo lagopus are " furnished with black hairs, 

 which are disposed in a stelliform manner over a dense 

 covering of white feathers." I am glad to find that 

 people look so closely, although after the publication 

 of one of my papers on feathers, an ornithologist in- 



Y 



