116 BLACK-CHINNED GOSHAWK. 



Goshawk of Australia ( Aster albus)^ with which, 

 in its general form and proportions, it much more 

 accords than with the typical sparrow-hawks. The 

 wings of our present hird are a trifle longer and 

 more pointed. The general structure of the feet are 

 the same in both ; the inner toe being a trifle longer 

 than the hinder, although their claws are of the 

 same size : the chief, and we may add the only im- 

 portant difference between the two birds is in the 

 scales of their tarsi ; those of Aster albus are large, 

 smooth, broad, and transverse, both before and be- 

 hind, while the posterior and lateral scales of Aster 

 monogrammicus are small, reticulate, and hexagonal. 

 Although it is highly important to notice this dif- 

 ference, we do not look upon it in any other light 

 than as indicating an aberrant species, opening the 

 passage to eagle-hawks of the restricted genus 

 Halimetus. 



The general colouring of the plumage is very ele- 

 gant. A light and uniform grey spreads over all 

 the upper parts, and forms a broad band across the 

 breast and lower part of the neck. The chin is of 

 a pure white, relieved down the middle by a stripe 

 of deep black, composed of five or six feathers en- 

 tirely of that colour ; the orbits, which are feathered, 

 are lighter than the cheeks and sides of the head, 

 the rump has a deep black bar, which contrasts 

 agreeably with the pure white of the upper tail- 

 covers. The lesser quills have white terminal 

 margins, and are crossed by about eight dusky- 

 blackish bars, hardly, if at all, perceptible when the 



