222 



DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY. 



effectually disposing of the theory that the dark form was the young. In the light 

 variety the general colour of the upper-parts is brown, with a tinge of purple 

 on the scapulars, and the above-mentioned distinct white patch on the uppermost 

 feathers of that series. The lowest scapulars and wing-coverts have buffish white 

 borders ; while the quills are blackish, the secondaries having light borders. The head 

 and neck are fawn-colour, with streaks of dark brown, the sides of the face being 





BOOTED HAWK-EAGLE (\ nat. size). 



streaked with blackish, and the frontal feathers nearly white. A slight lengthen- 

 ing of the feathers at the back of the head gives rise to an incipient crest. The 

 brown tail is tipped with dull white, and marked with several indistinct darker 

 bars. On the under-parts the ground-colour is buffish white, with a tinge of fawn 

 on the throat and chest, upon which are a number of dark streaks, which disappear 

 on the abdomen and thighs. The beak is bluish black, with a pale blue base, and 

 the cere and feet are yellow. In the dark variety, the plumage differs from that 

 of the adult by the brown colour of the under-parts, where the feathers have black 



