112 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



which, however, was previously named Asiur (Lophotes,) Rein- 

 wardtii; and the Australian Lepidogenys subcristatus of Gould is 

 also very closely allied to it, if indeed distinct. 



The genus Aviceda of Swainson is very close to this, and is 

 united to it by Bonaparte. It is an African type. 



Gen. Elanus, Savigny. 



Char. — Bill very small, wide at the base, compressed at the tip, 

 the tip much hooked and lengthened; edge of upper mandible slightly 

 sinuated ; cere short ; nostrils large, oval, longitudinal ; wings very 

 long, pointed, 2nd quill longest, the 1st emarginate near the tip; 

 tail short, almost even, or emarginate. Tarsi short, thick, weak, 

 plumed above, covered with reticulated very small roundish scales 

 beneath ; toes thick, soft, free, unequal ; outer toe shorter than the 

 inner one ; claws rather large, middle one keeled, others rounded. 



Horsfield places this genus among the Harriers, which it 

 resembles in colors, but its short tarsi and general structure are 

 quite typical of the true kites. It is the only genus of this sub- 

 family which is cosmopolite. 



59. Elanus melanopterus, Daud. 



Falco apud Daudin — F. coesius, Savigny — Lb Vaill, Ois. d' 

 Afrique, pi. 36 — Hodgson, Madras Journal, XVI. — E. minor, 

 BoNAP.— Blyth, Cat. 84— Horsf., Cat. 35 — Jerd., Cat 15 — 

 Knpiisi, H. — Chamca, in Nepal — Argellur of the Yerklees — Adavi 

 Hamadasu, Tel., i. e. Jungle tern. 



The Black-winged Kite. 



Descr. — Whole upper parts fine grey, paling on the tail ; lores, 

 and narrow supercilium black ; shoulders, winglet, and lesser wing 

 coverts, deep glossy black ; lower parts white, extending to the fore- 

 head and ear coverts, and shaded with pearly grey on the flanks 

 and the sides of neck. 



Length 13 inches; wing 11 ; ext. 33 ; tail 5; tarsus 1^; mid- 

 toe and claw If; bill at gape ly^^. Weight 7 to 8oz. Irides 

 crimson ; legs deep yellow. 



