THE JOURNAL 



OF 



THE LINNEAN SOCIETY. 



On the G-eographical Distribution of tlie Aecipitres. 

 By E. BowDLER Sharpe, F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c. 



[Read February 3, 1876.] 



(Plates I.-IX.) 



Part I. The VULTURID^. 



The following papers will form a supplement to the British- 

 Museum ' Catalogue of Birds.' In the latter volume a classifica- 

 tion of the Aecipitres is unfolded ; and I now propose to treat of 

 the geographical distribution of the birds described in the first 

 volume of that work ; for until a classification has been deter- 

 mined upon, my experience tells me that it is impossible to treat 

 of the distribution of the feathered tribes over the earth's surface. 

 I am at the same time aware that several writers have called in 

 question my arrangement of the birds of prey, notably that con- 

 scientious and indefatigable naturalist Mr. Eobert Eidgway ; but 

 I have as yet found no reason to modify my conclusions in any 

 serious degree ; and I therefore feel pleased to have an opportu- 

 nity of expounding my system of classification of the Accipitrt^s, 

 feeling, as I do, that the consideration of their geographical distri- 

 bution will confirm the views expressed in the work above 

 alluded to. 



It is here necessary only to state that I divide the birds of prey 

 into three distinct groups, which I consider to be of the rank of 

 suborders. These are Hawks, Ospreys, and Owls. The second 

 and the last have a remarkable osteological character in common in 

 the long tibia, which is more than double the length of the tarsus ; 

 and they have at the same time the outer toe reversible. These 



lilNJSr. JOUEN. ZOOLOGY, VOL. XIII. 1 



