124 BRITISH BIRDS. 



Mr. Harting (Handbook, p. 88) gives the records of this 

 species as : one in Argyleshire (1772) ; one in Yorkshire 

 (1805) ; one on the Mersey (1843) ; one in Cumberland 

 (1853) ; one in Surrey (1856). 



GENUS XCV. PERNIS, Cuvier (1817). 

 Bill moderate, somewhat slender, upper mandible 

 decurved nearly from the base and with its cutting 

 edges almost straight. Tail rather long, slightly rounded. 

 Feet tolerably stout ; tarsus feathered on upper part ; rest 

 of foot reticulated ; claws very moderately curved. 



175. Pernis apivorus (Linn.). HONEY-BUZZARD. 

 Hab. Palasarctic region, in Europe north nearly to 



Arctic Circle. In winter migrating to Africa. 



Male : head and nape grey ; remaining upper plumage 

 dark brown, the tail having several dusky bars ; below 

 whitish, spotted on throat and barred on breast and sides 

 with brown ; iris, cere and feet yellow. Length 22*00. 

 Female : head and nape brown. Length 24*00. 



A summer visitor. It has bred during the last century 

 in nearly every part of England and even in Scotland, 

 the last known instances having been in Hampshire. 

 To Ireland it is a rare straggler, the only recent occurrences 

 recorded being in 1890 and 1892 (Co. Wexford). 



GENUS XCVI. HIEROFALCO, Cuvier (1817). 

 A sub-genus of Falco containing the group of Gyr- 

 Falcons which inhabit the circumpolar regions. 



176. Hierofaleo gyrfaleo (Linn.). GYR FALCON. 

 Hab. Arctic Scandinavia. 



One example, shot in Sussex, January, 1845, has been 

 identified by Mr. Gurney, and a second, shot in Suffolk, 



