360 FALCONIDJE MELIEKAX 



Genus XXII. MELIERAX. 



Type. 

 Melierax, Gray, List Gen. B. i, p. 5 (1840) M. canorus. 



Bill moderate, the edge of the upper mandible slightly festooned, 

 sides of the face feathered; nostrils exposed, rounded, well within 

 the cere and provided with a bony tubercle ; wings long and 



FIG. 124. Foot of Melierax canorus. x \. 



pointed ; tail square or slightly graduated ; tibia and tarsus almost 

 equal in length ; tarsus covered with well-marked transverse plates 

 in front and behind, with smaller scales between ; middle toe of 

 moderate length, without claw almost equal to or less than twice 

 the ridge of the culmen. 



This is a purely African genus containing seven species, four of 

 which are found in South Africa. 



Key of the Species. 



A. Larger, wing over 10*0. 



a. Upper tail-coverts pure white M. canorus, p. 361. 



b. Upper tail-coverts white, closely barred with 



slaty -grey ,.77. .*..'." M* f ~mec7ioivi, p. 363. 



B. Smaller, wing under 8*0. 



