HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. [145 



formerly considered as an essential character, but a variety has 

 been lately produced with the hoof undivided, having otherwise the 

 same specific character. 



BIRDS. 



ORDER I. ACCIPITRES. 



FALCO CHRYSAETOS The Golden Eagle: Cere and legs yellow, 

 feathered to the toes, wings reach to the extremity of the tail, 

 beak lead colour, irides hazel, colour dark brown, weight I21b. tail 

 clouded with dark ash colour. Two birds of this species were 

 discovered on Carmock-chase, preying upon the carcass of a sheep, 

 one of which was shot by the late Sir Edward Littleton's game- 

 keeper : they have also been seen at Beaudesert, and in Need- 

 wood-forest. 



2. CYANEUS The Hen-harrier: Male cere and feet yellow, above 

 grey, beneath white, weight 12 ounces, length 17 inches. Female, 

 a ruff round the head, under each eye a white spot, back dusky, 

 rump white, belly reddish brown, weight 16 ounces, length 20 

 inches. 



3. MILVUS The Kite-Glead: Cere and legs yellow, head grey, 

 back brown, tail forked. Flies remarkably steady ; preys much 

 on mice. 



4. BUTEO The Buzzard: Cere and feet pale yellow, beak lead 

 colour, above ferruginous brown, beneath yellowish white, spotted 

 with brown, tail barred with black and ash colour, and tipped with 

 brownish white ; weight 32oz. length 22 inches. 



5. TiNNUNCULUS-^TAe Kestrel or Standing Hawk : Cere and 

 feet yellow : male, head light grey, tail the same, with a black bar 

 near the end tipped with white; back purple spotted with black, 

 weight 6| ounces, length 14 inches. Female, back less bright, 

 head and tail pale brown spotted with black, weight 11 ounces. 



6. Nisus The Sparrow Hawk: Cere green yellow, feet yellow, 

 bill blue, claws black, above brown or grey, beneath tawny white 

 waved with brown, tail ash colour, barred and tipped with white, 

 weight of the male five ounces ; female nine. Most destructive 

 to game. 



7. JEsALON The Merlin: Cere and legs yellow, bill lead colour, 

 above purplish ash colour, with ferruginous spots, beneath yellowish 

 white with brown* spots, tail barred with brown, length 6| inches. 



