RAPTORES. CIRCUS. 5 



the middle of the bill. Under mandible shallow, and round- 

 ed at the point. Nostrils rather large, broadly oval, and 

 nearly concealed by the reflected and upward-curving hairs 

 of the lores. Head surrounded by a ruff of stiffish tiled fea- 

 thers. Wings long, with the fourth feather scarcely exceed- 

 ing the third, but being the longest in the wing ; first four 

 having their inner webs notched ; the third, fourth, and fifth, 

 with the outer webs, sinuated. Tail long, and slightly 

 rounded. Legs with the tarsi long and slender, feathered 

 in front for a short distance below the joints, with the naked 

 part scutellated. Toes of mean length, and rather slender ; 

 middle toe the longest ; the outer rather exceeding the inner, 

 and joined at the base to the middle one by a membrane ; 

 third toe shortest. Claws moderately incurved, and very 

 sharp ; those of the inner and hind toes the largest. 



The birds of this genus are distinguished from the more 

 typical Buzzards, by their prolonged and slender form, their 

 lengthened tarsi, and the distinct ruff of close-set feathers, 

 which, as in the Owls, surrounds the face. In their habits 

 they are more active than the other birds of this subfamily ; 

 and their flight, though not remarkable for swiftness, is 

 light and buoyant, and can be supported for a long time 

 (though generally at no great elevation) in search of their 

 prey, consisting of birds, small mammalia, and reptiles, all 

 of which they pounce on the ground. In the form of the 

 bill, the reflected bristks of the lores, and the peculiar ruff* 

 surrounding the face, they shew a decided affinity to the suc- 

 ceeding family of Strigidce, particularly to the birds of that 

 group which, from their habit of hawking in the day-time, 

 have obtained the name of Accipitrine Owls. 



VOL. 



