RAPTORES. 47 



Genus BUTEO, Ciwier. 



Sp.20. GYPOICTINIA MELANOSTERNON, Gould. 

 Black-breasted Buzzard. 



Buteo melannsternon, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc, part viii. p. 1G2. 

 Gtjpoictinia melanosternon, Kaup, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av. torn. i. p. 19. 

 Goo-dap, Aborigines of the mountain districts of Western Australia. 



Bnteo melanosternon, Gonld, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. i. pi. 20. 



If we examine the Australian members of the family Falco- 

 nid(B, we cannot fail to observe that they comprise representa- 

 tives of most of the forms inhabiting similar latitudes in the 

 northern hemisphere ; and the bird now under considerati(m, 

 if not a true Buteo, is more nearly allied to the members of 

 that form than to those of any other genus ; still it does differ 

 somewhat from the typical Buzzards, and I have therefore 

 considered it advisable to adopt Professor Kaup's generic 

 title of Gypoictinia. This fine species does not appear to be 

 common in any of the Australian colonies. I have, however, 

 received it from Swan River, and procured it myself during 

 my journey into the interior of New South Wales, about two 

 hundred miles northwards of Sydney ; I have also a specimen 

 which was killed on the Liverpool Plains by one of the natives 

 of New South Wales. 



The Black-breasted Buzzard generally flies high in the air, 

 through which it soars in large circles, much after the manner 

 of the Wedge-tailed Eagle, its black breast and the large white 

 mark at the base of the primaries being very conspicuous when 

 seen from beneath. In these soaring actions it differs slightly 

 from the typical species of the genus Buteo — an additional rea- 

 son for its separation from those birds, and for the adoption of 

 the distinctive generic appellation assigned to it by Dr. Kaup. 



A most singular story respecting this bird has been trans- 

 mitted to me, and is here given as I received it ; without 



