524 SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. —RAPTORES — ACCIPITRES. 
gonys convex, ascending ; cere short ; nostrils sri subcircular ; loral bristling slight; super- 
ciliary shield sinall, in one piece. Wings of moderate length, ample ; 3d quill longest ; 2d but 
little shorter; Ist quite short, about equal to 6th; outer 2 emarginate on inner web, and next 2 
somewhat sinuate. Tail moderate, even or emarginate, the feathers broad to their obtusely 
rounded ends. Feet short and stout; tarsus seantily feathered about 4 way down in front, then 
seutellate, for the rest reticulate; middle toe without claw about as long as the tarsus ; outer 
and middle toes connected by a basal web for the whole length of the basal joint of the latter ; 
inner toe without claw shorter than the outer, with claw longer, its claw being much larger 
than that of the outer toe, reaching beyond base of middle claw. Soles broad, especially under 
SRG : 
is SS ISS CS 
ARO Ss ee) 
!~ 
F1q@. 367. — Left, Mississippi Kite, } nat. size; right, Swallow-tailed Kite, 4 nat. size. (From Brehm.) 
the hind toe, which is widely margined; claws short, stout, much curved. A genus of twe 
species, confined to temperate and tropical America ; of great volitorial power, spending much 
of their time on the wing in aérial gyrations; somewhat gregarious like other Milvine, and 
preying upon the bumblest quarry, especially insects and small reptiles, often feeding from their 
talons, as they sail through the air, after sweeping down upon their prey and seizing it as they 
pass without staying their flight. 
491. I.subceru'lea. (Lat. swbcawrulea, bluish.) Mississippi Kits. Adult ¢9: General plumage 
plumbeous or dark ashy-gray, bleaching on the head and secondaries, blackening on the tail 
aud wings, several primaries more (@) or less (Q) suffused with chestnut-red oa the inner 
