This Hawk has an extensive range in Central America, reaching from the northern frontiers of 

 • Mexico down to Costa Eica. In consequence of its having been obtained hy Lieut. 1). N. Coucly 'y 

 in the Mexican province of New Leon/ in 18537 Prof. Baird has Included it in his work on the 

 birds of N. America, but we have not yet heard whether it has since been found north of the 

 frontier-line. 



In Southern ]\Iexico it would appear to be common, having been included in most of the 

 collections made by M. Salle and his correspondents in Vera Cruz and the adjoining states, 

 as well as in Mr. White's series, from the vicinity of the city of Mexico. In Guatemala/Salvin 

 found this Hawk likewise abundant in the lowlands/ up to an elevation of about 3000 feet | 

 Kere it is generally seen singly, watching for its prey amongst the trees that are scattered over 

 the more open districts, or in the outskirts of the forest clearings j^ts food is principally Lizards 

 of various sorts (such as Tropidolepiis forquatus^ ilemidopjorus undidatus, and various species 

 of Anolis)fyfh.ic\\ abound in such localities. Many skins of this bird were obtained both in 

 Vera Paz and in the Pacific coast-region. In the former district, near San Geronimo, 

 Mr. Eobert Owen found it breeding, in April, 18G0, as recorded in " The Ibis." ]\Ir. Owen 

 tells us that its nest is placed in the high trees which are scattered over the plains, and not 

 unfrequently within a few yards of the Indian ranchos. 



The number of eggs in one nest is two. They are whiteV without any markings, but have 

 the inner coating of a sea-green, as in Astur palumharius. 



Our authority for the occui-rence of this species in Costa Eica rests upon a single specimen/ 0^ 

 shot by Arce/at La Barraufca/on the Pacific slope; in March/ 18G4. This bird is in immature 

 plumage, but presents traces of the adult dress on various parts of the back, so that there can 

 be no doubt of its belonging to the present species, and not to the true A. nitida^ which, though 

 common on the Panama Eailway-line, does not appear to range further north. 



Our figure of the adult of this bird is from a Guatemalan skin obtained by ]\Iessrs. Salvin 

 and Godman, in December, 18C1, on the southern slopes of the Volcan de Fuego. That of the 

 immature bird in the back-ground, is from the typical specimen of Falco plagiatusJm the Berlin ^ 



Museum, which Dr. Peters has most kindly lent to us for this purpose. / 



The subjoined table may, perhaps, assist in distinguishing the seven species of the genua 

 Asturina^ in their adult dress : — 



^y 



7 



77 



A. Supra cinereae aut fusca" : subtus plus minusve transfasciatae — 



a. prim, pogoniis iuleruis albis nigro trausfasciatis : 



supra trausfasciata 



supra unicolor . . . . 



b. prim, pogon. int. rufis nigro trausfasciatis : 



a. caudse fusciis einereis : 



tibiis-albis, cinereo transfaseiatis 

 tibiis fulvis rufo trausfasciatis ' . 

 v. caudffi fasciis rufis : 



gula et peetore ciuereis 

 gula obscurrf fusea, pect. nlbicaut a 

 B. Supra et subtus unicolor uiger . . , 



1. nitida. 



2. plagiata. 



3. magnirostris. 



4. nattereri. 



5. ruficauda. 



6. pucherani. 



7. Jeucorrhoa. 



Mat, 1S69. 



[180] 



iJUs^^-j 



sT 



