HAEPAGUS. — MIOEASTCTE. 107 



have been shot in the Valley of Mexico, was the first evidence of its occurrence so far 

 north, but Sumichrast afterwards met with it at various places, as recorded above *. 



We bave an example from Nicaragua procured by Mr. Eichardson at La Libertad 

 in Chontales in January, and Mr. Nutting found the species at San Juan del Sur ^ and 

 also at Sucuya ^. From Costa Eica our collectors sent us both mature and immature 

 examples, and recently the British Museum received skins from David in Chiriqui from 

 Mr. Watson. 



H. fasciatus is not known to occur beyond the limits of Central America, and 

 no information of its habits is forthcoming. A living bird brought by natives to 

 Mr. Nutting refused food and was quite untameable. 



Subfam. MICRASTURIN^. 



This subfamily includes one genus, Micrastur, with several species, all belonging to 

 Central and South America. 



According to Mr. Eidgway's analysis of the relative positions of his groups, the 

 Micrastures are associated with the Falcones and Polybori rather than with Eerpeto- 

 Iheres. In reality, the former are quite as distinct as any of the others, if not more so. 

 The long tail and short wings, together with the long legs, have usually led to Micrastur 

 being associated with Astur and Accipiter, but the position of the scapular process 

 of the coracoid witb respect to the clavicle shows that this apparent relationship cannot 

 be relied on. Moreover, the presence of a partial facial ruff and a large ear-opening 

 suggests an affinity to Circus. Mr. Eidgway gives the Micrastures the following 

 characters : — " Posterior toe abbreviated, very much shorter than the lateral pair ; tarsi 

 and toes covered with small hexagonal scales, larger in front. Nostril, a large opening 

 with bony-rimmed margin or central tubercle. Superciliary process of the lachrymal 

 elongated, broad, extending nearly across the orbit. Tomia without tooth or notch. 

 Posterior margin of sternum as in Falcones, viz., nearly even, with a pair of large oval 

 fenestra. Four or more outer primaries with inner webs sinuated near the inner 

 portion." 



MICEASTUE. 

 Micrastur, G. R. Gray, List Gen. Birds, p. 6 (1841) ; Scl. & Salv. P. Z. S. 1869, p. 364; Ridgw. 

 Pr. Acad. Phil. 1875, p. 470; Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. i. p. 74. 



In general appearance the species of Micrastur are stout and thick-set birds, and 

 bear some resemblance to the smaller Goshawks ; but, for the reasons given above, we 

 prefer to keep them as a separate subfamily in the vicinity of Herpetotheres. 



1. Micrastur melanoleucus. 



Negri bianco, Azara, Apunt. i. p. 124 \ 

 Faxado, Azara, Apunt. i. p. 136 ^ 



14* 



