46 RAPTORIAL BIRDS 
before the introduction of fire-arms. It is still used 
for falconry in many parts of Asia, as it formerly 
was in this country, where it seems to have been 
principally flown at the pheasant, being less adapted 
than the longer winged falcons for the pursuit of the 
heron. 
The Norwich Museum possesses two specimens of 
a rare West African Goshawk, Astur macrurus, one of 
which has been figured in the “Ibis” for 1870. The 
next genus, AZée/ierax, is composed of hawks somewhat 
allied to the Goshawks, but forming a distinct group 
peculiar to the Continent of Africa. The largest 
species of the genus, AZeierax musicus, ox the Chanting 
hawk, is so named from the melodious character of 
its whistling note, a peculiarity which is common to 
at least one other species of this genus, but has not 
been observed in other birds of prey ; the notes of the 
Raptorial birds being as a rule too harsh and strident, 
and too little modulated to be considered musical. 
The remaining genera, Micrastur and Lschnosceles, 
are both composed of hawks which are natives of 
tropical America, and from which we may pass to 
consider the remaining family of diurnal Raptores, 
the Harriers, a remarkable group found in almost all 
countries of the globe, except within the Arctic Circle, 
but mostly preferring level and often marshy districts 
to those of greater elevation. 
The Harriers are birds of a somewhat slender and 
elegant form, but are not distinguished for any great 
