316 



Mr. Vigors's Sketches in OrnithologT/. 



nated, according to the usual term applied to the most typical of 

 tlie group, Stirps Aquilina or Eagle^. 



These five groups into which the Falconidce thus branch out, 

 may be exhibited at one view in the following order. I arrange 

 them according to their typical and aberrant characters, noticing 

 those habits and peculiarities of form only, which are most con- 

 spicuous, and most important in the general distribution of the 

 family. 



Typical Groups. 

 CAlse breves. 



Rostra brevia, praeci- 

 pue dentata. Praeda< 

 aeria. 



< Stirps Acdpitrina. 

 \ Hawks. 



^Stirps Falconina. 

 \ Falcons, 



(.Alae longae. 

 Aberrant Groups. 



'Rostra a basi adunca. ^Stirps Buteonina. 

 Alae longas. ( Buzzards. 



Rostra longa, aiit sub 

 longa, baud dentata. •< 

 Prajda terrestris. 



Rostra a basi adunca. 

 Cauda furcata. Alas 

 longissimae. 



Rostra ad apicem solum i 

 adunca. 



* Alae longae. 



* * Alee breves. ( 



\ Stirps Milvina. 

 I Kites. 



I Stirps Aquilina. 

 I Eagles. 



When we descend into the details of any group, which is subdi- 

 vided, like that before us, into stirpes returning into themselves, 

 it is of little consequence at which subdivision we commence our 

 examination. Forming a circular series, they exhibit no natural 

 break upon which M'e can fix as a regular land-mark to start from. 

 It is adviseable, nevertheless, to have some uniform plan of pro- 

 ceeding ; and the most obvious, and perhaps preferable mode ap- 

 pears to be that of our commencing our inquiries with the first of 

 the typical stirpes ; and it is indeed, I believe, the usual course 

 adopted. As this is however a mere matter of option, and depends 

 much on the particular views in which individuals are accustomed 

 to conduct their researches, I am more willing to adopt the mode 

 of giving my attention in the first setting out to that extreme sub- 

 division of any group which is immediately connected with the 



