244 BIRDS OF BRITISH GUIANA. 



Mr. J. J. Qiielch, who observed this species in Georgetown, 

 writes rrimehri (2) v. p. 104) : — " This species is conspicuous 

 around the outskirts, and even at times in the city itself, or is 

 seen flying overhead. It frequents the mud-flats chiefly in search 

 of crahs, fish, etc., and is commonly known as Crab-Hawk and Fish- 

 Hawk. It is also called the Black-necked Buzzard (Jhisarelhis 

 7ii<f)-icoliis)." Also (Tiniehri [2) vi. ji. 1;34 j: — " The Black-necked or 

 AVliite-lieaded Buzzard or Cral>-Hawk. The toes of this bird, on 

 their under surfaces, are covered with closely-packed hard spicules 

 (the mark of the genus) giving a very characteristic appearance 

 to the feet, which, doubtless owing to this structure, are generally 

 coated with mud from the mud-flats, whither these birds resort in 

 search of crabs, shells, shrimps, fish, etc. — on which they chiefly 

 delight to feed — and where they will frequently be met with, 

 either on the stumps or tall trees, or on the nmd-flat itself.'^ 



Mr. Beebe observes (Our Search for a AVilderness, ]>. 354): — 

 '' Hawks were abundant, and one of the most numerous was the 

 Cream-headed Hawk, which soared low over the savanna or 

 ])erched on the shrubs along the bank. Small birds showed no 

 fear uf it, often alii^htin"; on the same tree." 



Genus BUTEOG ALIUS Less. 



ButeogaUus Lesson, Traite d'Orn. p. 83, 1S80. Tj-pe B. a-quinoctiaJis 

 (Gmel.). 



In this monoty}iic genus the wings, when folded, nearly reach 

 to the tip of the tail ; soles of the feet smooth and without thorny 

 spicules. 



1.5.3. ButeogaUus sequinoctialis. 



Equinoctial Buzzard. 



Falco cequiiwctialis Gmel. Syst. Nat. i. p. 26o, 178S (Cayenne). 

 Hyjwmurphinus bi/son Cab. in Schoiub. Keis. Guian. iii. ]>. 740, 1S48. 

 Hufeof/alli/s (Pqui)ioctialis Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. i. ]). 212, 1874 



(Denierara) ; Salviii, Ibis, 1886, p. 74; Lloj^d Price, Timehri (2) v. 



p. 67, 1891 (nesting-habits) ; Quelch. torn. cit. p. 1U4 (Georgetown); 



id. op. cit. vi. p. 15.5, 1892 (habitsj ; Bi-abourne & Chubb, B. S. 



Amer. i. p. 68, no. 630, 1912. 



" Cra}>-Hawk," "Fish-Hawk," "Black-headed Buzzard" 

 {Quelch). 



Adult male. General colour above dark brown with rufous 

 edgings to many of the feathers on the back, scapulars, and wings; 



