236 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



SUBGK.NUS ASTUR, Lacepede. 



Jslitr, LACiir. 1800. (Tyiic, Fuhv jxt/umlxirius, LlSN.) 



Drvdalion, Savio. 180S). Dmla/iuin, AcAss. 



Spnrvius, ViKiLi,. ISlti. 



Asin; Swains. 1837. 



Lcucospka, Kaii-, 1S41. (Type, Fulco nora-hollandicc, Omf.L.) 



The characters of tliis subgenus have been sufficiently indicated on page 

 221, so that it is unnecessary to repeat them here. The species of Astur 

 ii'-e far less numerous than those of Nisvs, only about six, including geo- 



Astur atrimpiUus 



graphical races, being known. They are i'ound in nearly all parts of the 

 world, except tropical America, the Sandwicli Islands, and the East Indies. 



Species and Races. 



A. palumbarius. Wiiifr, I'J.OO- 14.50 ; tail, 0.50-12.75; culnion, .80- 

 1.00; tai-su.«, 2.70-.n.l5; midilln tot', 1.70-2.20. Fourth quill lon<rost; 

 first shortcut. Adult. .Vbovc, coutiiuiously nnifonn .slate-color, or brown ; 

 tliL" tail with .'!c'V(.'ral iihiil' or less distinct broad band.s of darker, and 

 narrowly tip|)ed with white. Hencrtth white, with transverse lines or liars 

 of the same color as the upper snrliico. Top of the head blackish ; a streaked 

 whitish suiierciliary stripe. Voiini/. .\bove inueh variegated with lirown 

 and p.iii! ooiiraci ou.s ; liands on the tail more sharply defined. Beneath 

 pale ochraceous, with lon>;itudinal stripes of dark brown. 



Adtdt. Al)ov(^ unil)«r-1irown, without conspieuou.sly darker shaft- 

 .streaks; top of tiie head dull dusky. Markinirs on the lower parts* in 

 the lorni of .sharply defined, broad, detached, crescentic l)ars, and of an 

 umber tint; throat liarred. Tail with five liroad, wx'Il-defined bands 

 of blackish. Winsf. 12.25 - 14.25 ; tail, 9.40 - 1 1.10 ; cuhuen, .80 -.95 ; 



