156 SPARROW-HAWK. 



Gos-IIawk. 



ASTUR, generic characters. Bill compressed, 

 edge of the mandible with an obsolete 

 lobe ; nostrils oval ; wings short, fourth quill 

 longest, the first five notched about their 

 centre ; tail very ample, rather lengthened ; 

 tarsi proportionably shorter than in Accipiter, 

 of middle strength, the scaling in front 

 more strongly marked ; middle toe long, the 

 outer toes and the hallux nearly equal ; claw 

 of the hind and inside toes strong and 

 nearly equal. 



._ European, habits chiefly sylvan, some- 

 times strike the prey on the wing, breed on 

 trees, occasionally trained 10 tne cnase. 



