CIRCUS MAURITS. 



Form. — Typical. Cervical collar moderately prominent. Bill much hooked ; 

 nostrils rounded and coated with rigid bristles. Wings long, and w hen folded 

 reach to the last third of the tail, the third and fourth quill feathers equal 

 and longest, the second and fifth equal and about three-fourths of an inch 

 shorter than the fifth, the first about two inches and a half shorter than the 

 second. Tarsi long and strong, anteriorly scutellated, on the sides covered 

 with small polygonal scales, and behind by two roM's of irregular plates. 

 The outer toe connected to the middle one at the base by a distinct semicircular 

 web. Claws much curved and pointed. 



DIMENSIONS. 



In. Lines. 



Lcngtli of tlie tarsus 2 9 



of the outer toe llj 



of the middle toe 1 4 



of the inner toe 9 



of the hinder toe 7| 



In. Lines. 

 Length from tlie point of the bill to 



the tip of the tail 23 



of the bill from tlie angle of the 



mouth 1 4 



of the wings when folded 14 G 



ofthetail ]2 



The male of like age is marked with similar colours. 



The bird, of which the foregoino- is a description, was killed in the month of January, the 

 last of the summer months in South Africa. The species occurs along both coasts of the 

 colony, and the greatest number of specimens are observed in the vicinity of marshes or inland 

 lakes. When they are seen they are generally flying languidly along near the surface of the 

 ground or over the bush by which the country may be coated, and from time to time suddenly 

 descending to the earth as if to capture some prey. When they are successful in accomplish- 

 ing tliis, they eitlier immediately rise with it in their talons, be it a mouse, frog, lizard, 

 or bird ; or else, which is their more common practice, rest on the spot wliere the seizure is 

 effected, until they have consumed whatever may be the article of food ; on that being com- 

 pleted, they take again to the wing, and continue their circuit after the manner already 

 described. This species generally constructs its nest in marshy situations, and places it either 

 on the ground or low among the reeds which generally occur in such localities. It lays three 

 or four eggs. 



