FALCONID.E, DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY". 209 



somewhat of a vnlturine nature ; they feed much upon carrion, are rather sluggish 

 in habit, and laclv the spirit of the typical hawlis. Details of form vary in the three 

 genera Polyhoms, Ibycter, and Miloago. There are less than twelve species, all 

 confined to America. 



3. The harriers are another small group, in which a ruff, forming an imperfect 

 facial disk, as in the owls, is more or less developed. It consists of the genus 

 Circus and its subdivisions (to which some add Polyhoroides, of Africa), comprising 

 about fifteen species of various parts of the world. Oar species is a typical example. 



4. The Jish-hcmks, of the single genus Pandion, with four or five species or races 

 of various parts of tire world, are remarkably distinguished from other birds of the 

 family by the lack of aftershafts, a special ti'act-formation, a peculiar conformation 

 of the feet, and other characters as noticed further on. 



5. The genus Pernis is distinguished from ordinary Falconida;, in having the 

 whole head softly and densely feathered. P. apivorus, tire bee-eating hawk of 

 Europe, is the type. It approaches the kites. 



6. The lutes form a rather extensive group of hawks averaging undersized 

 and of no great strength, though ver}^ active, generallj^ of lithe and graceful shape, 

 with long pointed wings and often forlied tail. They subsist on small game, 

 especially insects, which they capture with great address. The eye is commonly 

 unshielded. Besides the genera given beyond, there are several others : llilvus, 

 near which our Nauderus stands, of Europe and Asia ; the Indian and East Indian 

 Baza, the African Aviceda, and the remarkable Machaerhamphus of Africa and 

 Malacca ; with the American Cymindis, and Gampsonyx. There are some thirty 

 species of the group as thus constituted ; but some of the genera are questionably 

 enumerated here. Ifilvus, Nauderus, Elanus and Idinia are true kites. 



7. The buzzards form a large group, not easily defined, however, unless it be by 

 exclusion of the peculiarities of the others. Thej^ are hawks of medium and 

 rather large size, heavj'-bodied, of strong but rather measured flight, inferior in 

 spirit to tlie true hawks and falcons, and as a rule feed upon humlile game, which 

 they rather snatch stealthily than capture in open piracj^ The extensive genus 

 Buteo with its subdivisions, and its companion Archibuteo, t3'pify the buzzards ; 

 they include, however, a variety of forms, sirading into other groups. With them 

 must be associated the eagles; for the popular estimate of these famons'great birds 

 as something remarkably different from ordinary hawks is not confirmed by exam- 

 ination of their structure, which is essentially the same as that of the buzzards, into 

 which they grade. Although usually of large size, and powerful physique, they are 

 far below the smallest falcons in raptorial character, prey like the buzzards, and 

 often stoop to carrion. The genus Aquila may stand as the type of an eagle ; its 

 several species are confined to the Old World, with one exception. HaUaetus rep- 

 resents a decided modification in adaptation to maritime and piscivorous habits. 

 A. celebrated bird of this group is the harpy eagle of South America, Thrasia'etus 

 liarpyia, with immense bill and feet, and one of the most powerful birds of the 

 whole family. There are several other genera in either hemisphere. 



8. The 7ia?(;fcs jM'ojjer are another extensive group, of medium sized and small 

 species, which, although less powerfully organized, are little, if anjr, inferior in spirit 

 and relative strength to the true falcons. Their flight is swift, they capture their 

 prey in active chase like hounds, and always kill for themselves. The wings are 

 rather short, as a rule, with the tip formed by the 3d-5th quills, the 2d and 1st beino- 

 shortened ; the tail is generally lengthened. The eye is shaded by a bonj^ brow. 



KEY TO N. A. BIKDS. 27 



