[Case 48.} 
[Case 48.] 
[Case 48. ] 
76 BIRD GALLERY. 
Goshawk (Erythrotriorchis radiatus) (861),the Brown Buzzard (Hetero- 
spizias meridionalis) (868), and the Long-winged Buzzard ( Tachytriorchis 
albicaudatus) (869), we come to the true Buzzards (Buteo), which 
somewhat resemble small Eagles in their flight and habits, preying 
on the smaller mammals such as rabbits, rats, and mice, as well as 
reptiles and insects. They do not capture their prey on the wing, and 
consequently seldom kill birds except young poultry. They must be 
regarded as useful birds to both farmer and agriculturist. A very 
handsome species is the Red-backed Buzzard (B. erythronotus) (810) 
from S. America. The Common Buzzard (B. buteo) (875) is still fairly 
numerous in various parts of Great Britain. As will be seen from the 
specimens exhibited on the lowest shelf of the Case, the plumage varies 
greatly, some old birds being almost uniform dark brown above and 
below. A large South American form will be found in the Giant 
Buzzard (Geranoaétus melanoleucus) (816). 
Next come the Buzzard-Hawks of America represented by several 
Genera, Buteola (811), Asturina (818), and Rupornis (819), and the very 
handsome black-and-white species such as the White-spotted Buzzard 
(Leucopternis melanops) (881). 
The Harpies include six very large powerful species placed in five 
genera, of which four are represented in the Case. The Crowned Harpy 
(Harpyhaliaetus coronatus) (884), the Guiana Crested Harpy (Morphnus 
guianensis) (885), and the true Harpy (7hrasaétus harpyia) (886) are 
all long-erested forms from South and Central America ; and the latter, 
whose range extends into Mexico and Texas (where the species is locally 
known as the “ Lobo volante ” or ‘‘ Winged Wolf ”’), is one of the most 
splendid as well as the most powerful of all the Birds of Prey. It feeds 
chiefly on mammals, including fawns, monkeys, foxes, and moderate 
sized pigs. An allied form, Harpyopsis nove-guinee (881), found in 
New Guinea, has the general appearance of a great Goshawk and is 
said to prey on Tree-Wallabies. The sixth species is the great Monkey- 
eating Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) from the Philippine Islands. 
The Bearded Vultures or Lemmergeiers (888) form the next sub- 
family Gypaétine, which includes two very large species, one found 
from South Europe to the Himalaya and the other in Africa. 
They are much like Vultures in their habits but not such foul feeders. 
Like the Egyptian Vultures (Neophron) they are said to obtain the 
marrow from bones by carrying them up into the air and letting them 
fall from a great height, and land-tortoises are similarly treated. Hence 
the name “‘ Bone-breaker ” by which they are often known. Their flight 
is grand in the extreme, but the stories of their having carried off children 
are highly improbable, for in spite of their spread of wing they lack 
the strength of foot to do so. 
