Descriptions of British Diptera. 



359 



proper place, will satisfy every one as to the accuracy of this state- 

 ment. 



The following table presents the general division of birds of prey 

 according to our ideas of it, restricted, of course, to the American 

 species. 



Tire Famille : Vulturidees. Vultur, Lin 5 Sarcoramphes. 



| Cathartes. 

 f Rancancas. 

 fire Sous-famille : Caracarides. < Phalcobenes. 

 ' Caracaras. 

 f Rostrames. 

 Circaetes. 

 Aigles-pecheurs. 

 Oiseaux He Famille: Harpies. 



de «{ Falconidees. \ 2e Sous-famille : Aquileides, Aigles-autours. 



Proie. Falco, Lin. <j Autours. 



I Milans. 

 I Cymindis. 

 I Buses. 

 J Busards. 

 LEperviers. 

 3e Sous-famille : Falconides. Falco. 



r Strix. 



Ille Famille : Strixidees. Strix, Lin \ Dues. 



i Cheveches. 

 £ Scops. 



VI. — Characters and Descriptions of the Dipterous Insects indige- 

 nous to Britain. By James Duncan, M. W. S., &c. &c. — (Con- 

 tinued from p. 145.; 



Family TABANID.E. 

 Antennae porrected, approximating at the base, generally three- 

 jointed, the third joint ringed, without any style or seta at the ex- 

 tremity ; proboscis and palpi salient and conspicuous ; abdomen 

 consisting of seven segments ; halteres half-covered by large wing- 

 lets ; wings extended horizontally on each side of the body ; tarsi 

 with three distinct pulvilli. 



The insects of this family are well known for their blood-thirsty 

 propensities, which instigate them not only to attack many of the 

 larger quadrupeds, but even man himself. In this island they are 

 happily not so numerous as in many other countries, but, owing to 

 the prevalence of a few species, the annoyance they occasion to cat- 

 tle is by no means inconsiderable. Of the six genera found in 

 Europe, three only have hitherto been detected in Britain. These 

 may easily be distinguished by the following modifications in the 

 structure of the antennae. 



Two lowest joints of the antennae somewhat \ 5-ringed Tabanus. 



cup-shaped and unequal ; third joint \ 4-ringed HiEMATOPOTA. 



Two lowest joints of the antennae cylindrical and equal Chrysops. 



