1869.] MESSRS. SCLATER AND SALVIN ON THE ASTURINE, 133 
always been applied to this bird, must be restricted to the preceding 
species, we propose to call it after the naturalist who first appreciated 
the differences between them. 
5. ASTURINA RUFICAUDA, Sp. n. 
Asturina magnirostris, Sclater, P. Z.8. 1856, p. 285, 1859, p. 368, 
1864, p. 178. 
Asturina magnirostris, Scl. et Salv. Ibis, 1859, p. 217; Lawr. 
Ann. L. N. Y. vii. p. 316, viii. p. 178; Moore, P. Z. S. 1859, 
p- 92. 
Supra obscure cinerea: subtus gula et pectore obscure cinereis : 
ventre toto cum tibiis ferrugineo et pallido fulvo frequenter 
transfasciatis : cauda nigra, ferrugineo trivittata et terminata. 
Hab. Cordova (Sallé); Jalapa (De Oca); Mexico city (White) ; 
Omoa (Leyland); Guatemala (Salvin); Veragua (Arcé); David 
(Hicks). 
As in the case of A. nitida, the northern representative of the 
present group of Asturine appears in its adult dress to be readily 
distinguishable from the southern forms, and to require specific 
separation. From A. magnirostris and A. nattereri it differs in the 
deep-red tail-bands, the corresponding colour in the two last-men- 
tioned species being pale cinereous. In younger specimens of 4. 
ruficauda these bands are likewise cinereous, but in nearly every case 
show traces of rufescent colouring beginning to appear. In the 
general colour of its under plumage 4. ruficauda more nearly resem- 
bles A. nattereri than A. magnirostris, having the belly, flanks, and 
thighs of the same rich ferruginous tinge which distinguishes 4. 
nattereri; but in the present bird the throat and chest are usually 
of a pale cinereous, thus more resembling A. magnirostris. 
We have examined a great number of specimens of this bird from 
various parts of Southern Mexico and Central America. In Guate- 
mala, where it is one of the commonest species of Hawk, Salvin 
obtained examples from the plains of Zacapa, the Pacific coast- 
region, the valley of the river Polochic, Choctum in the forest-region 
of Vera Paz, and the savannas of the district of Peten. We have 
also received specimens from Costa Rica, Veragua, and Panama, 
besides the Mexican series obtained by Sallé and his coadjutors. 
Asturina ruficauda, though thus widely distributed, is not found 
in the elevated mountain districts, but frequents the lowland plains 
up to an elevation of about 2500 feet above the sea-level. Its food 
in Guatemala consists almost entirely of small snakes and lizards. 
6. ASTURINA PUCHERANI. 
Esparvero indayé, Azara, Apunt. i. p. 131. no. 30. 
Astur magnirostris, Hartl. Ind. Azara, p. 2; D’Orb. Voy. Ois. 
pawl. 
Nisus magnirostris, Burm. P. Z. 8. 1868, p. 623. 
Asturina pucherani, J. et E. Verreaux, R. Z. 18595, p. 350. 
Falco gularis, Licht. in Mus. Berol. 
