Plate LXXXVIII. 



ASTURINA RFFICAUDA. 



(EED-TAILED BUZZARD-HAWK). 



Aiturina magnirostris 



Asturina rvficaiida 



Sclater, P.Z.S. 1856, p. 285, 1859, p. 368, 1864, p. 178. 



Scl. et Salv. Ibis, 1859, p. 217. 



Lawr. Ann. L. N. T. vii. p. 316, viii. p. 178. 



Moore, P.Z.S. 1859, p. 52. 



Scl. et Salv. P.Z.S. 1869, p. 133. 



Supra obscure einerea ; remigibus primariis ad basin ferrugineis, nigro transfasciatis, intiis in pogonio interiors 

 cinnamomeis, ad apices nigricantibus : subtus gula, et pectore obscure cinereis : ventre toto cum tibiis ferrugineo et 

 pallido fulvo frequenter transfasciatis ; crisso cinnamomeo : cauda nigra, ferrugineo late trivittata et terminata : 

 tectricibus subalaribus cinnamomeis : rostro nigro, cera ilava ; pedibus flavis, unguibus nigris : long, tota 14'0, alae 8'5, 

 caudas 6'0, tarsi 2-5. Junior. Supra fusca ; gutture fusco flammulato, ventris maculis sagittatis fuscis. .. ' 



Hah. in America centrali a Mexico merid. usque ad isthmum Pacamensem. '':' ■>%-■< 



As we liave already sliown in our paper before referred to the nortliern representative of 

 t|ie present group of Asturinee appears in its adult dress to be readily distinguishable from the 

 .southern forms, and to require specific separation. From A. magnirostris and A. nattereri it 

 differs in the deep red tail -bands, the corresponding colour in the two last-mentioned species 

 being pale cinereoiis. In younger specimens of ^. riificauda these bands are likewise cinereous, 

 but in nearly every case show traces of rufescent colouring beginning to appear. In the 

 general colour of its under plumage A. riificauda more nearly resembles A. nattereri than 

 A. magnirostris^ having the belly, flanks, and thighs of the same rich ferruginous tinge which 

 distinguishes A. nattereri; but in the present bird the throat and chest are usually of a pale 

 jcinereous, thus more resembling A. magnirostris. 



We have seen a great number of specimens of this species from various parts of Southern 

 Mexico and Central America. In Guatemala, where it is one of the commonest species of 

 Hawk, Salvin obtained examples from the plains of Zacapa, the Pacific coast-region, the valley 

 of the Eiver Polocliic, Choctum in the forest-region of Vera Paz, and the savanas of the district 

 of Peten. 



Asturina ny?GaM<^a, tjjough thus widely distributed, is not found in the elevated mountain 

 districts, but frequents the 'Ipj^^land plains up tQ an elevation of about 2500 feet above the 

 sea-level. Its food in Guatemala consists almost entirely of small snakes and lizards ; in one 

 specimen, collected at Chimaiapa, on the plain of Zacapaj the stomacli is noted as having 

 contained "centipedes." t^. 



Southwards of Guatemala this Buzzard-hawk is generally .-di^riliuted over , t^_,Central- 



