0')0 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



Sun(ii;.\'us NISUS. (.'uviER. 



.Icciinlcr, IJuissoN, 17()0.' 



XUm, C'uviKl!, 17i>!». (Type, Falo, nisuK, Linn. ; A. fnngillarim {\\\\), Kaup.) 



Jera.r, Lkacii, ISTCi. (.Same type.) 



Conjifmsltir, HoNAl'. 1854. (Type, Aa-ijiilcr ampcri, IJonaI".) 



IHa-(upha, 18-14, Jcraspha, 1851, and Tercu-<pizti, 18(17, Kai-|-. (Typo, Fako linus, Lath.) 



Hicmcosphn, Agass. (Siiiue type.) 



Urospizn, 184.5, Vmspizia, 1848, and Ura-tpku, 18»i7, Kait. (Type, iSparvius cirrlwcepha- 



lus, VlEII.l,.) 

 Fri/t/iro.ii)n(i, Kait, ISlw. (Type, A. MiwMiin (Tem.m. /) 

 Micniiti.'ius, (!i:ay, 1840. (Tyiic, Fiileo (jabai; Daud.) 

 Kisiutui; IJi.A.s. 1844. (.Saiiie type.) 



The specie.s of this subgenus are generally of small size and slender form ; 

 but with a gi-aceful and ajiparently delicate structure they comldne re- 

 niarkaljle strength and unsurpassed daring. Tliey difl'er from the species 



Nisns fusais. 



'^^^ 



Nisiis rooperi. 



of Astiir mainly in less robust oi-ganization. Tlie species are very numerous, 

 and most plontiful within the tropical regions. Tlie Old World possesses 

 about thirty, and America about fifteen, nominal species. Several South 



' Not iidiiiissildo as Imviiif; Iiceii l)(;.sto\ved by a iioii-bimiiiiial author, and of prior date to the 

 commenceiiicnt of liiiioniial iioiiii'iulature. 



