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There are only three Falcons that I have seen here ; the first two 
true Falcons, with the typical characters and habits marked, and the 
third with all the typical characters (excepting the two-toothed beak) 
and the habits wanting. The first two are little Falcons, namely, 
The CHESTNUT-BELLIED FALcon, and 
The WHITE MOTTLE-BELLIED FALCON. 
They are both birds that strike their prey on the wing, and are 
capable of killing birds nearly as large as themselves. The yellow- 
bellied species may be seen very busy at dusk, hunting bats with 
amazing swiftness. I have never been able to find either of their 
nests. 
The Two-rootHep Barip1. 
A bird with precisely similar habits to the next three birds. Like 
them, the Baridi never strikes, but confines himself to pillaging 
nests and destroying young birds. He is a sneaking marauder and 
burglar, and not audacious enough to commit highway robbery and 
murder, like the true Falcons. His wings are very short, and the 
characteristic formula of the quill-feathers is wanting. Consequently, 
I have placed this bird at the head of the succeeding group. 
The PLAID-CHESTED SHORT-WINGED Hawk. 
The BRown-BACKED SHORT-WINGED Hawk. 
The YELLOW-CERED SHORT-WINGED Hawk. 
They are characterized by the same habits as the Baridi, stealing 
eggs and murdering unfledged birds. 
The two next Hawks are large and powerful. The first is a large 
Black Hawk. It is a very fierce and destructive bird. It will kill 
rats and other small quadrupeds, as the Adouri (Cavia agouti), &c., 
and will strike at and kill so large a bird as a Currycurry ([éis rubra). 
My huntsman Benjamin tells me that some time ago he shot a Curry- 
curry, and before the bird fell to the ground, a large Black Hawk 
seized it and bore it away. It is very destructive to hen-roosts. The 
next species is found far up the river Demerary, and is by no means 
common. Mr. John King, a very respectable bird-stuffer and an 
observant naturalist, tells me that in a period of many years, con- 
stantly occupied in procuring species of birds and animals, he has 
only seen a few specimens of this bird. I have ascertained from the 
same authority, that its habits are very similar to the Large Black 
Hawk of the coasts. 
I only know of five Owls in this country ; of four I have procured 
specimens. The first two, Booted Owls without ears, are common 
enough, and I have not been able to ascertain anything in their habits 
differing from the well-known and frequently described habits of their 
European congeners. 
