CARACARAS. 



247 



rather broad alternating bands of black-and-white. The head is crested, and the 

 black tail has a narrow white tip, and a broadish band of white at a distance of 

 about one-third from the end. This species has a wide range in Africa ; but it is 

 replaced in Madagascar by P. radiatus, distinguished by its silver-grey colour above, 

 and the finer banding of the under-parts. These birds prey chiefly upon lizards, 

 snakes, and frogs; and they possess the unique peculiarity of being able to move 

 the ankle-joint both forwards as well as backwards, thus giving an extraordinary 

 range of movement to the lower part of the leg, which is said to be of the greatest 

 advantage in extracting their reptilian prey from the crannies where they lie 

 concealed. Like the harpy-eagles, these hawks often seek for reptiles along the 

 line of jungle-fires, while they frequent marshes and swamps in search of frogs. 

 The toes are remarkable for their extreme lateral compression, which is said to be 

 also a feature admirably adapted for capturing the reptiles on which these birds 

 prey. In addition to reptiles, it is stated that these hawks will also kill and eat 

 small birds and mammals, especially such of the latter as, like shrews, frequent 

 moist localities. Nothing appears to have been ascertained with regard to their 

 breeding-habits. 



The remaining members of the hawk family are mainly South 



The Caracaras. 



American, and constitute a subfamily by themselves. These birds, 

 which are commonly designated caracaras, from a corruption of the native name of 

 their Brazilian representatives, differ not only in general appearance from more 

 typical hawks, but likewise in the mode of life. In the first place, whereas in all 

 other members of the family the third and fourth toes alone are connected together 

 at their bases by a small web, in the caracaras both the second and fourth toes are so 

 connected with the middle one. They are all long-legged birds, with the metatarsus 

 naked; and the beak is generally characterised by its depth and compression, 

 while there is more or less naked skin on the sides of the face. In their general 

 habits they are chiefly terrestrial, and nest on the ground ; and as they run well 

 and rapidly, they recall in these respects the gallinaceous birds. Mr. W. H. Hudson 

 remarks that they are " carrion-eaters, also killers on their own account, and, like 

 wild dogs, sometimes hunt in packs, which gives them an advantage. They are the 

 unfailing attendants of all flesh-hunters, human or feline, and also furiously pursue 

 and persecute all eagles and true vultures that venture on the pampas." Formerly 

 the caracaras were considered to be allied to the secretary- vulture, but their true 

 affinities are now known to be nearer to the harriers, and, according to the observer 

 just quoted, when on the wing the smaller species present a striking resemblance 

 to the latter. 



Brazilian The caracaras may be divided into two genera, according to the 



Caracara. form of the nostrils. The largest member of the group is the 

 Brazilian caracara, known in the Argentine as the carancha (Polyborus tharus), 

 and belonging to the genus with oval nostrils. This fine bird, which ranges over 

 the whole of South America, may be compared in size to a small eagle, attaining 

 a length of fully 26 inches. Its head is crested, and the ground-colour of the 

 upper-parts deep blackish brown, with the feathers of the back and wing-coverts 

 marked with narrow whitish cross-bars. The tail is mostly buffish white, with 

 darker bars ; and the sides of the head and under-parts are of the same ground-colour, 



