of the United States. 31 



though not so much so as the true kites (Milvus.) Like 

 these, excel in flight, describing graceful circles in the air 

 with a broad expanse of wing. Seldom attempt to take their 

 prey flying, but pounce upon it while it is at rest. Feed on 

 small birds, insects, * and particularly reptiles, contenting 

 themselves with dead animal substances. 



16. Falco melanopterus, Daudia. Bluish-gray, beneath 

 white ; wing-coverts black ; tail even. 



Black-winged Hawk, Falco melanopterus, nob. Am. Orn. 

 ii.pl. \\.Jig.\. adult female. 



Inhabits the southern states ; also Africa and South Ame- 

 rica, the south-western part of Asia, the island of Java, and 

 probably India. 



17. Falco furcatus, L. White; back, wings and tail, glos- 

 sy black ; tail deeply forked. 



Swalloiv-tailed Hawk, Falco furcatus, Wils Am. Orn. vi. 

 p. 70. pi. 51. Jig. 2. adult male. 



Inhabits common during summer in the southern states ; 

 Mexico and South America ; exceedingly rare, and only 

 astray in Pennsylvania and farther north. 



SUBGENUS VII I. BUTEO. 



Buteo, Bechst. Cuv. Vieill. Buses, Temm. 



Bill short, moderately compressed, rather weak ; upper 

 mandible rounded above, terminating in a long hook, lobe 

 obtuse; sides of the lower mandible bent inwards ; cere short; 

 nostrils rather large, nearly round ; lores almost covered by 

 short bristles : head rather large ; neck thick and short ; 

 body thick. Tarsus short, thick, scutellated, partially or 

 entirely feathered ; outer toes connected at base by a mem- 

 brane ; nails acute, rather weak, those of the inner and hind 

 toe nearly equal and largest. Wings elongated ; four first 

 primaries abruptly attenuated at tip on the inner web ; the 

 first very short, the fourth longest. Tail moderate, even. 



Female larger, but similar in colour. Young widely dif- 



