ACCIPITRES. 



171 



deeply furcate]. It attacks reptiles [and the larger insects, and has been known to scrape out Wasps'-nests like 

 the Pern. Its talons are not rounded underneath, on account of which, tog-ether with other distinctive characters, 

 it is now generally recognized as constituting the Nauclerus, Vigors. This bird is indigenous to America, but 

 has been known to stray into Britain. It is social in its habits, and almost gregarious. A nearly allied African 

 species constitutes the Elanoides of Vieillot.] 



The Kites, properly so called {Milvus, Cuv.) — 

 Have the tarsi sciitellated and stronger, [and are very nearly related to the Ernes]. 



The Common or Red Kite (F. milvus, Lin.).— Of all European Birds, this remains longest and most tranquilly 

 on the wing. It scarcely attacks any thing but reptiles. [Another European species, not hitherto found in Britain, 

 where the first is fast disappearing, is 



The Black Kite (M. (iter, Gm.).— The author has likewise ranged here 



The Ameiican Puttock (F. plumbeus, Lath.), or the Mississipi Kite of Wilson, which is referrible to Vieillot's 

 genus Ictinia, now generally accepted. This forms an obviously distinct group, the members of which are much 

 more powerfully armed than the Kites, having a short and stout beak, the upper mandible of which is somewhat 

 angularly festooned, and talons comparatively developed. They prey, however, principally on the larger insects, 

 and occasionally on Snakes and Lizards : are most nearly related to the Elanets.] 



The Perns (Pernis, Cuv.), — 

 Or Honey Buzzards, combine, with the weak bill of the Kites, a veiy peculiar character, in having the 

 space between the eye and beak, which in the rest of the genus Falco is naked, and only furnished 

 with some [radiating] bristly feathers, covered with close feathers disposed like scales ; their tarsi are 

 half-feathered above, and reticulated ; their tail even ; wings long, [the third quill being longest] ; and 

 their beak curved from its base, as in all that follow. 



Tlie Common Pern (F. apivorus, Lin.) pursues insects, and principally Bees and AVasps, [the combs of which it 

 scratches out of banks to feed on the maggots : in default of these, however, it will attack small warm-blooded 

 animals and reptiles. It runs with celerity' on the ground; is migratory; and generally builds on the tops of 

 lofty beeches. Two or three additional species have been ascertained, all from the Eastern Continent]. 



The Buzzards {Biiteo, Bechstein) — 

 Have long wings, the tail even, the beak cm'ved from its base, the interval between it and the eyes 

 without feathers, [at least such as the Perns exhibit], and the feet strong. 



Some of them have the tarsi feathered to the toes [the Butaetes, Lesson] . They are distinguished 

 from the Eagles by having the beak curved from its base, and from the Hawks and Eagle-hawks by 

 their feathered tarsi and long wings. Europe possesses one, 



Tlie Rough-legged Buzzard (F. lagopus, Lin.), [of which J^. Sancti Johannis, Auct., appears to be merely the 

 old individuals.*] — One of the most widely diftused of Birds, being found almost everywhere. [It frequents 

 marshy tracts, and particularly rabbit-warrens, which it beats till very late in the evening.] 



But the greater number of Buzzards have the tarsi naked [except on the upper half in front] and 

 scutellated. In Europe there is but one, 



Tlie Common Buzzard (E. buteo, Lin.). — The commonest and most noxious bird of prey throughout Europe. It 

 remains all the year in the forests, descends upon its prey from the top of a tree, and destroys much game. 



Some species are crested, [have also naked cheeks, and reticulated tarsi. They are barely separable 

 from the Circdeti. 



The H^matorns (Ilamatornis, Gould)]. 



F. bacha, Auct. — A very savage bird of Africa, which preys chiefly on the Hi/races. [Other naked-cheeked 

 Buzzards compose the Buteogallus, Lesson.] 



The Harriers (Circus, Bechst.) — 

 Differ from the Buzzards in their more elevated [and very slender] tarsi, and by a sort of collar, whicli 

 the tips of the feathers which cover the ear form on each side of the neck. [These Birds frequent 

 open moorlands, over which they skim in scaich of prey very close to the ground, and nestle and 

 always roost on its surface.f ] 



■e seen a British-killed specimen as dark as any frcnn 



t Some systematists consider the Harriers to form a rmk from the 

 ■'alcons generally to the Owls ; l)ut neither in the skeleton, as shown 



by the sternal apparatus (fijj. 72), nor in their digestive o^ans, do 

 they approximate the latter in the least degree. The structure of the 

 ear, resembling that of other Falcons, is shown at fig. ??. They are 

 most nearly related to the Hawks. 



