ACCIPITRES. 



171 



deeply furcate]. It attacks reptiles [and the larcfer insects, and lias been known to scrape out AVasps'-nests like 

 the Pern. Ity talons are not rounded underneath, on account of which, tn^rether with other distinctive characters, 

 it is now ^^enerally rcco.i^nized as constitutinj; the Nandertta, Vit^ors. Tiiis bird is indii^enous to America, but 

 has been known to stray into Hritain. It is social in its habits, and almost greg;arious. A nearly allied African 

 species constitutes the Elanoides of Vieillot.] 



The Kites, projiorly so called {Milvus, Cuv.) — 

 Have the tarsi scutellated and stronger, [and are very nearly related to the Ernes]. 



Ilie Common or Red Kite (F. milvus, Lin.).— Of all European Birds, this remains longest and must tranquilly 

 on the win:;. It scarcely attacks any thing- but reptiles. [Another Enropcan species, not hitherto found in Britain 

 where the first is fast disappearing-, is 



The Black Kite (M. ater, Gm.). — The author has likewise range«^ here 



The American Pnttock (F. />/Hm^je?/^, Lath.), or the Mi.t.sissipi Kite of Wilson, whicli is rcferrible to Vieillot's 

 genus Jctiiiia, now generally accepted. This forms an obvioxisly distinct /jcroun, the members of which are much 

 more powerfully armed than the Kites, having a short and stout beak, the upper mandible of which is somewhat 

 angularly festooned, and talons comparatively developed. They prey, Iiowever, principally on the larger insiCis, 

 and occasionally on Snakes and Lizards : are most nearly related to the Elanets.] 



The Pkrns {Pernls, Cuv.), — 

 Or Iloncij Buzzards, coral)ine, w^ltli the -weak hill of the Kites, a \ery peculiar character, in having the 

 space hetwecn the eye and beak, ^vhich in the rest of the genus Faico is naked, and only furnished 

 with some [radiating] bristly feathers, covered -with close feathers disposed like scales ; their tarsi are 

 half-feathered above, and reticulated ; their tail even ; wings long, [the third quill being longest] ; and 

 their lieak curved from its base, as in all that follow. 



The Common Pern {F. apivorns, Lin.) pursues insects, and principally Bees and Wasps, [the combs of which it 

 scratches out of banks to feed on the maggots : in default of these, however, it will attack small warm-blooded 

 animals and reptiles. It runs with celerity on the ground; is minatory; and generally builds on the tops of 

 lofty beeches. Two or three additional species have been ascertained, all from the Eastern Continent]. 



The Buzzards {Buteo, Bechstein) — 

 Have long wings, the tail even, the beak curved from its base, the interval between it nnd the eyee 

 without feathers, [at least such as the Perns exbiljit], and the feet strong. 



Some of them have the tarsi feathered to the toes [the But'detes, Lesson]. They are distinguished 

 from the Eagles by having the beak curved from its base, and from the Hawks and Eagle-hawks by 

 tneir feathered tarsi and long wings. Europe possesses one, 



The Rough-legged Buzzard {F. lagopiai,hui.), [of \y\i\c\\ F. Sancti Johnvnis, Auct., appears to be merely fuc 

 old individuals.*]— One of thi^ most widely diffused of Birds, being found ainiost everywhere. [It frequents 

 marshy tracts, and particmarly rabbit-warrens, which it beats till very late in the evening.] 



B"i- i.b.e greater number of Buzzards have the tarsi naked [except on the upper half in front] and 

 scutellatcd. In Europe there is but one. 



The Common Buzzard {F. buteo, Lin.).— ITie commonest and most noxious bird of prey throughout Europe. It 

 remains all the year in the forests, descends upon its prey from the top of a tree, and destroys much game. 



Some species arc crested, [have also naked cheeks, and reticulated tarsi. They are barely separable 



from the Circaeti. 



The H.-kmatorns {Ilamafonnf!, Gould)]. 

 F. bacha, Auct.— A very savage bird of Africa, which preys chiefly on the lit/races. [Other naked-cheeked 

 Buzzards compose the Btdeogallus, Lesson.] 



The Harriers {Circus, Bechst.)^ 

 Diner from the Buzzards in their more elevated [and very slender] tarsi, and by a sort of collar, which 

 the tips of the feathers which cover the ear form on each side of the neck. [These Birds frequent 

 open moorlands, over which they skim in search of prey very close to the ground, and nestle and 

 always roost on its siiiface.f] 



.ny frn, 



^ link frnm the 

 jtori, as shown 



bv the sternal nppirrntus (fifr. 7^, nor in the] 

 they appro-ximHie iIil- Utter in llie leu-;! decree, 

 car, reaeiiiblinc Omt of other Falcons, i> bhow 

 most nearly rtlaicd tu the Hawka. 



■ diReatlve oifnns, do 

 The structure of Iha 

 I at 6|f. 77. They u« 



