with DesGvijptions of New Species. 253 



This specimen is labelled Astur pileatus, and was received 

 some montlis since. I wrote to Dr. Gundlach, stating that it 

 was probably a new species, and below give an extract from 

 his letter in reply. 



" If, after another examination, you consider the species a new one, 

 you may publish its description. I have nothing to say on its phimage, 

 for you have the specimen, but will mention its measures, and the color 

 of the naked parts. The only specimen found here was a male, and was 

 shot at Hanabana in Nov., 1849. I know nothing of its habits. Cere 

 and cheeks greenish yellow ; feet pale yellow, with a greenish hue ; 

 iris red. 



"Length 0-457; extent 0-807. 



" I have seen here a young A. Cooperi received from New York, and 

 I am led to suppose that the Accipiter from Cuba, which we believed 

 to be Cooperi, is the young of the preceding species. For this reason I 

 send a Cuban A. Cooj^eri, and if you can discover any difference from 

 the true one, you may describe it as the young of the preceding, for I 

 am almost convinced now that they are both the same. It is found in 

 different localities, having seen it not only in low marsliy swamps, but 

 on the highest mountains, througliout the whole island. I once shot a 

 young one on high ground, which, by the down that yet covered it, was 

 certainly bred very near that place. I also send this specimen. 



" Its flight is rapid and almost in a direct line, never having seen it 

 describe circles, nor does it mount to any considerable height, and is so 

 daring that it seizes young chickens in the farm-yard under the eyes of 

 the husbandman. Its cry often repeated resembles * kec' 



" Length of a 5 0.500 extent 0-890 tail 0-230. 

 " young $ 0.452 " 0-817 " 0-205. 

 " " $ 0.540 " 0-935 " 0-250. 



" The extremity of the wing from the end of the tail (when shot) was, 

 in the male, 0-120, and in the female 0-150. Cere yellowish green, feet 

 and iris bright yellow." 



The two specimens of the young mentioned above, are clearly 

 those of the present species. They are dark umber brown 



