4 8 



CASSELLS BOOK OF BIRDS. 



powerful, with short neck, large head, and strong beak ; the latter curves downwards from the base, is 

 compressed at its sides, and terminates in a long hook. The wings are broad and long, the third or 

 fourth quill exceeding the rest in length; the tail is of moderate size, broad and straight at its 

 extremity ; the feet are high, and protected by a thick armature of horny plates ; the toes are very 

 short, and furnished with short, sharp, crooked talons. The plumage is lax ; and, as in that of the 

 Eagle, the feathers upon the head and nape are pointed at their tip. 



// /" 7^=3^1 



THE SNAKE BUZZARD {Circaetus brachydxctylus, or Circaetus Gallicus). 



THE SNAKE BUZZARD. 

 The Snake Buzzard {Circaetus brachydactylus, or Circaetus Gallicus) is from twenty-six to twenty- 

 eight inches long, and from sixty-six to sixty-eight across the wings ; the latter measure eighteen, and 

 the tail nine inches. The upper part of the body of this bird is brown, the feathers upon the head 

 and nape pale brown, tipped with a still lighter shade ; the quills are blackish brown, edged with two 

 borders, one being white, the other pale brown, and marked with an irregular black line ; the tail is 

 brown, broadly tipped with white, and adorned with three black stripes ; the brow, throat, and cheeks 

 are whitish, and streaked with delicate brown lines ; the crop and upper part of the breast are bright 



