Zoological Society, 145 



nests and destroying youug birds. He is a sneaking marauder and 

 burglar, and not audacious enough to commit highway robbery and 

 murder, hke 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 {Ibis 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. 



The Small-booted Brown Owl. 



This is seen frequently at dusk in company with the Little Bat- 

 falcon, hunting bats. The larger one, or Large-booted Black and 

 White Owl, is strictly a night bird, and found principally in the 

 forests. The next two are likewise strictly night birds. 



The Large Long-legged Strix, or Jumbi Bird, 

 Inhabits hollow cabbage-trees or old and dilapidated houses, un- 

 fortunately that style of habitation in Georgetown, and over the whole 

 country, being at this time the rule, and not the exception. They 

 make a great noise at night, a sort of clack, clack, clack, &c., termi- 

 nating with a harsh, disagreeable and ominous scream. They are 

 held here, as elsewhere, to be birds of ill omen, portending death, 

 wherefore they are called " Jumbi," or Ghost Birds, by the negroes. 



The Little Long-legged Strix 



Is a very handsome little mouse-coloured Owl, which preys upon 

 moths and other night insects as well as small bats. They are mostly 

 Ann. i^- Mag. N. Hist. Ser. 2. Vol.xi. 10 



