15 



but on tlie smaller size and less cuneiform shape of the fibro- 

 cartilage attached to the inner side of the capsule of the joint 

 and which is wedged in, in the Kite, Sparrow-hawk, and no 

 doubt in most other Eaptores, between the two bones at the 

 back part of their joint. No doubt the lateral ligaments 

 would present a correlated modification, but a dissection of the 

 parts in the recent Polyhoroides would be requisite to ascer- 

 tain the precise condition of the soft parts of the joint with 

 the modification of the tendons crossing it, connected with the 

 peculiar extent of motion of the part. Certainly an inspection 

 of the bones onlj^, would never have suggested the possession 

 of the faculty." 



Mr. Ayres informs me that the eye in this species is very 

 small and the iris a very dark brown approaching to blsck ; 

 that the tarsi and feet are a light bright yellow, and that the 

 cere and bare skin adjoining the eye are also yellow. A 

 similar description is also given by Dr. ALfred Brehm of the 

 colour of these parts in the Sudahn specimen above refei-red to. 



The late Dr. Vierthaler speaks of the skin round the eye 

 as red, but states that this coloui" disappears immediately after 

 death. With reference to this observation, Mr. Ap-es remarks, 

 " the natui'al colour of the skin is light yellow, but it some- 

 times happens if a shot strikes the neck, or if the bird falls 

 from a considerable height, that the blood appears to rush 

 under the skin and changes the colour to pink, which some- 

 times remains so till the bird is skinned, and sometimes 

 disappears immediately." 



The best figui-es of this species, with which I am 

 acquainted, have been published by Sir Andrew Smith, in 

 his " Zoology of South Africa," in which pi. No. 81 represents 

 an adult, and pi. No. 82 an immatui-e specimen. The head and 

 foot of the natural size are figured in Gray's Genera, pi. 11. 



The individual described by Messrs. Verreaux, under the 

 specific name of " Gymnogcnijs Mahacii^'' is figured in the 

 "Eevue de Zoologie" for 1855, pi. 13. 



