284) 
more than one B. Feroxr, with the tarsus plumed in front, for 1°75 
inches ; and as regards the latter, ] may remark, that the bills of 
this species vary a good deal in size and strength. 
That further researches are necessar > before we conclusively 
admit either the existence of such a species as Buteo Aguilinus, 
Hodgson, or its identity with B. asiaticus, Latham, and B. He- 
melasius, Schlegel, is pretty clear. 
Mr. Blyth (Ibis for 1866) tells us, that in his first catalogue 
of Mr. Hodgson’s specimens, pr esented to the British Museum, 
(pub. 1846) “Mr. G. RB. Gray assented to these identifications, 
but Mr. Blyth goes on to say, that ‘‘in his second edition of 
that catalogue, (1863) Mr. Gray writes B. Leucocephala with B. 
Ferox, and iB Aquilinus with Archibuteo Stropheatus, Hodgson, 
the latter being decidedly identical with Hieraetus Pennatus ! 
The specimen which I described as Aquilinus, was sent by Mr. 
Hodgson, as his Butaquila Leucocephala ; but as it had not a sign 
of white about the head, I suggested to that gentleman, the bet- 
ter name Agui/inus, from its robust form. Hither this, or B, 
plumipes can hardly be other than Palco asiaticus of Latham. 
His description on the whole, applies better to the former, while 
the ‘ half-feathered legs (pedibus semilanatis’) preclade its iden- 
tification with B. Lerox. Both this species and the next, B. 
Plumipes, have the tarsi feathered half-way down; while in 
Archibuteo hemiptilopus (No. 49) the tarsi are plumed to the toes, 
in front and externally, and are bare and scutellated behind. 
I suspect that both B. asiaticus and A. hemiptilopus inhabit 
chiefly the Mongolian region, and should be considered strag- 
glers any where away from it.” 
It seems to me very doubtful, whether both Butaquila Leu- 
cocephala and B. Aquilinus, are not forms of B. Ferow ; as for the 
expression “ pedibus semilanatis” not being applicable to B. 
Feroz, I must demur. The tarsi, in this species, are often fea- 
thered for half their length ; one now before me, with the tarsus 
3°3, 18 puree for 1°8 ; another, a small male, with the tarsus 
barely 3°2, is feathered for 1°75. Doubtless, in the majority of 
ppeuimene, tarsi of these lengths would only be feathered for 
from 1°3 to 1:5, but the amount of feathering varies in different 
specimens. The fact of the tarsus in Mr. Hodgson’ 8 specimen, 
being feathered in front for 1°75, constitutes no good ground 
for separating it from B. Ferox. 
It may very likely be distinct, but I have, as yet, seen no suf- 
ficient reasons for making sure that it is so. I ought, however, to 
note that Mr. Hodgson in a letter to Blyth (I sh SRN p- 
2, note) remarks of this supposed species, “ this is not a typical 
Buteo or Archibuteo, witness its reticulate tarsi,” if by this is 
