THE BRAZILIAN KITE. 



45 



Closely related to the preceding bird is the Black Caeacaea, also a native of South 

 America. This is a much darker bird than the Red-throated Falcon, the back and upper parts 

 being blue-)jlack, and the rounded tail white only at its base. The feet are yellow, the beak 

 and claws black, the cere a gray-brown, and the space round the eyes devoid of feathers, and 

 flesh-colored. On account of the short and stout beak, and the large tarsus, this species was 

 formerly placed in a separate genus, vsdth the title of Daptrius. 



The Caeeion Hawks, as the Caeacaeas are popularly termed, are natives of Southern 

 America, and from their great numbers, their boldness, and their unpleasant habits, are suf- 

 ficiently familiar to any one who has had occasion to travel in the country where they teem. 



BRAZUilAN KITE.— Po^j/ftorus tharus. 



There are several species of Caracaras, which are placed in one genus, and are very similar in 

 their habits to the vultures, but on a smaller scale. 



The Southeen Caeacaea is not quite so large as some of its brethren, but is quite as 

 useful and as repulsive a bird. Its length is about eighteen inches, and its color a gray-brown 

 upon the back and upper surface, and paler beneath, diversified with reddish bands. The 

 thighs are of a banded rusty-red, and the tail is yellowish-gray. The cere and feet are yellow, 

 and the bill blue-gray. It is an omnivorous bird, eating vegetable or animal substances with 

 equal 'nallingness, and is said to do damage to the potato crop by digging into the cuttings 

 before they have time to sprout. It may be that the bird is urged by the desire of eating, not 

 the potatoes, but the grubs which have taken up their residence therein, and so confers a favor 

 on the planter instead of doing him an injury. This opinion is strengthened by an observation 

 of Mr. Darwin. 



The Brazilian Kite, Caeeancha, or Beazilian Caeacaea, is also a native of the 

 southern portions of America, and is found inhabiting the same localities as the Southern 



