2()2 BIRDS OF BRITISH GUIANA. 



cull. It usually perches, as most other birds of prey do, by selecting 

 a dead branch near the top of a tree. Its favourite prey is 

 amphibia, but it is also fond of birds. The nest is composed of 

 twigs and built on moderately tall trees. Schomburgk says that 

 he never saw this bird in a soaring position. 



Mr. J. J. Qnelch observed this species in Georgetown, and 

 remarks (Timehri (2) v. pp. 104, 10.5) : — " The name Chick en- 

 HaAvk is applied indiscriminately to several of the smaller brown 

 or slaty-coloured hawks. But perhaps the comiiionest of these 

 birds on the outskirts of the town is the Crested or Laushino- 

 Falcon [Herpetotheres cachinnan s) .''' 



Mr. Qaelch also writes (Timehri (2) vi. pp. 120, 132) :— " The 

 Common Black-faced Cliicken-Hawk or Laughing Falcon [Her- 

 petotheres cacldnnans) feeds chiefly on snakes and lizards 



(p. 132). This Hawk is commonly met with on the coast and on 

 the outskirts of the town, and, as its name indicates, is particularly 

 fond of reptiles for food : lizards and snakes, the latter especially, 

 being iis main diet, though chickens from the poultry-yard have 

 not infrequently been known to be-carried off — hence its common 

 name of Chicken-Hawk. It will often be seen perching on the low 

 bush, tall palms and other trees, swamps and other places, though 

 just as frequently on short stumps and sticks close to the ground, 

 or on the ground itself. Very often it will be noticed hovering, 

 like a wind-hover, close to the ground, over the grassy and bushy 

 areas, in search of the small grass-snakes and lizards. The little 

 so-called horsewhip or three-lined grass-snake (Dromiais Uneatus) 

 seems to be its most frequent victim. Its cry is loud, hoarse, and 

 shrill, and at times is very frequently repeated and can be heard 

 from a oreat distance. ' 



Genus ELANOIDES Yieill. 



EJanoicles Yieillot, N. Diet. d'Hist. Xat. xxiv. p. 101, 1818. Type 

 Ft.forjlcatus (Linn.). 



This monotypic genus is distinguished chiefly by the deepl}'- 

 forked tail, the outer feather being longest, and the long wings, 

 wbich extend beyond the tip of the tail. 



166. Elanoides forflcatus. 

 Swallow-tailed Kite. 



Falco forficatns Linn. Syst. Nat. 10th ed. i. p. 89, 1758 (Carolina). 

 Nauclo'na furcnfns Cab. in Schomb. Keis. Guian. iii. p. 73o, 1848. 



