On the Groups of the Falconidce. 325 



distinguished by a rather feeble and elongated bill, short wings, 

 and slender, lengthened tarsi, feathered to the toes- It includes 

 the F. Limnceetus, Ilorsf. [Zool. Res. No. 6. PL Col. 134.] F. 

 niveus, Temm. [PI. Col. 127.] and F. atricapillus, Cuv. [PI. Col. 

 79.] These appear to be strongly allied, if not to appertain, to 

 the before mentioned genus Morphnus. F. tyrannus, Pr. Max. 

 [PI. Col. 73.] bears a strong similitude also to the same group, 

 though partially differing in external characters. But on these 

 and similar affinities I do not wish at present to dwell, until a 

 more general examination of the birds themselves, brought to- 

 gether and accurately compared with each other, and a more in- 

 timate acquaintance with their habits, affords more solid grounds 

 than mere conjecture for forming a decision, 



§. 2. Stirps Accipitrina. Hawks. 



The short wings of the last groups lead us to the present 

 division of Hawks, all of whom, a considerably extensive tribe, 

 are characterized by their wings extending no further than two 

 thirds of the extent of their tail. The fourth quill feather is the 

 longest, the first, second, and third, gradually exceeding each 

 other in length. In this division we may observe that the upper 

 mandible, though not furnished with distinct teeth like the true 

 Falcons, has the festoon or prominence, that generally supplies its 

 place, more strong and angular than is usual among these tribes. 

 In some of the Accipitres this is particularly distinguishable.* 



The stirps we have just quitted, includes all the birds of the 

 present family, in which the beak is straight at the base, and 

 hooked only at the apex. We now enter upon the first of those 

 groups where the bill is curved from the base, a character that 

 extends through the remainder of the Falconidce. It may be 

 observed that this character which thus separates the family into 

 two departments, was equally noticed as a mark of distinction 



* M. Temminck perhaps goes too far in calling this festoon " line dent tres 

 marquee." It is sufficiently strongly marked however to show an affinity to 

 <he typical group of the family. 



