1960 



THE DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY 



this genus differ by their more elongated bill, of which the length, in advance of the 

 cere, is greater (instead of less) than half the length of the third toe, exclusive 

 of the claw. They are further characterized by the extreme shortness of the 

 bare portion on the front of the metatarsus, and also by the feathered lores, and the 

 wings reaching to the end of the tail, these characteristics distinguishing them from 

 certain allied genera which we have not space to notice. The black-winged kite is 



BI.ACK-WINGED KITE. 



(One-half natural size.) 



an inhabitant of Southeastern Europe, Africa, and India, and attains a length of 

 just over thirteen inches. Above, it is of a beautiful ashy-gray color, with the fore- 

 head and under parts white, and the shoulders and lesser wing coverts deep glossy 

 black, the lores and a narrow streak above the eye being also sable. The iris is of 

 a full carmine red, and the beak black, while the cere, like the feet, is yellow. In 

 young birds the upper surface is brownish gray, with the under parts yellowish. 



