192 



CIRCIN^E, HARRIFRS. 



WE agree with Mr Swainson in thinking, that 

 the Harriers (Circus) are the typical or repre- 

 senting form in this sub-family ; and it would have 

 been better, perhaps, for that ornithologist at once 

 to have changed the name to Circince, than to 

 continue what seemed incorrect. We agree also 

 with his views in placing the kite and its allies in 

 this circle, and withdrawing it as the typical form of 

 the preceding. In the system which he has pub- 

 lished, one section is not filled up the Tenui- 

 rostral form ; while the analogies ot Pernis, of 

 the Honey Buzzards, are left almost without 

 notice. The opinion, however, " that extreme 

 shortness of foot "* would indicate the Tenui- 

 rostral form in the four sub-families, where it 

 yet remained to be discovered, receives strength 

 from the structure of this member in these birds. 

 The foot is not in proportion much shorter, 

 but it exhibits an imperfection of form in rela- 

 tion to a raptorial bird, which is very marked, 

 and which, taken in connection with the weak 

 bill, may naturally lead us to suppose that Pernis 

 would represent the Tenuirostral form in the 

 Circince, and as such we shall now consider it. 



Lardner's Encyc. p. 319. 



