520 SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — RAPTORES— ACCIPITRES. 
falcons; 5. Polyborine, caracaras; 6. Buteonine, buzzards and eagles. If it be urged that 
these groups grade into one another, it may be replied that most large groups of like grade in 
ornithology do the same; and that‘ typical’ or central genera of each of them offer practical 
distinctions which have been recognized from time out of mind, in popular opinion and ver- 
nacular language. Jn my recent revision of the North American Falconide, made to check 
and amplify the descriptions in this work, an interesting relation between the shape of the 
wings and their pattern of coloration presented itself. (a) If we take a ‘ noble’ falcon, such as a 
peregrine or a lanner, we find a strong, yet sharp wing, with the second primary longest, sup- 
ported nearly to the end by the first and third; the nicking of the quills confined to a few, if 
occurring on more than one, and situated near the tip. Such a wing is as potent in its feathers 
as in the construction of its shoulder-joint, and indicates the acme of raptorial power in its pos- 
sessor, a falcon being able to dash down upon its quarry with almost incredible velocity and 
violence. The markings of a falcon’s wing are no less characteristic, consisting of clean-cut, dis- 
tinct spots of light color on both webs of the primaries and secondaries, throughout their whole 
extent, or almost so. (b) Any true ‘hawk,’ as an Astur or Accipiter, has a rounded concavo- 
convex wing, conferring a rapid, almost whirring, flight, like that of a partridge at full speed: 
and such a bird captures its prey by chasing after it with wonderful impetuosity, but not at a 
single plunge like a falcon. Such a wing has more primaries cut, farther from their ends, and 
the markings are pretty regular and distinct bars. (c) Any ‘buzzard,’ as a Buteo, a heavy and 
comparatively slow or even lumbering bird in flight, taking its prey by surprise and merely 
dropping on it without special address, has many or most of the primaries cut, far from their 
ends, and the tendency of the inarkings is to fuse and blend in large irregular masses of color, 
the sharp markings of Falco or Accipiter being thus dissipated. Of course there are exceptions, 
as well as every possible gradation, in the case ; but if one will compare the wing of Circus or 
Archibuteo with that of Accipiter and Falco, he cannot fail to perceive the point I raise. The 
tail is in somewhat like case. In the most noble birds of prey it is very stiff and strong, with 
almost lanceolate feathers, sharply spotted as a rule; in a hawk, longer and weaker, still 
regularly barred; in a buzzard generally (there are marked exceptions) of medium length and 
strength, with the markings tending to merge in large areas of color, just as those of the 
wings do. 
It may be remarked further, without special reference to what has preceded, that in large 
and difficult genera, as Buteo for example, the best specific characters nay be afforded by the 
markings of the tail. These are usually quite different in young and old birds; but are among 
a hawk’s most specific credentials, after the mature plumage is assumed, even when the rest of 
the plumage varies greatly, or is subject to melanism, erythrism, etc. In fine, many hawks 
are best known by their tails. Melanism in frequent in Falconide ; erythrism is not (just the 
reverse of the case of Strigide). The further generalization may be made, that the coloration 
of the under parts of Falconide is more distinctive of species than that of the upper parts; and 
that when these parts are barred crosswise in the adult they are streaked lengthwise in the 
young. Sexual differences are rather in size than in color, such a case as that of Circus being 
exceptional. 
Analysis of Subfamilies. 
Scapular process of coracoid reaching clavicle. 
Upper mandible toothed, lower mandible notched . .... at eg é . FALCONINE 
Mandibles without tooth or notch. . . ... . rae Se ee . POLYBORINE 
Scapular process of coracoid not reaching clavicle. 
Face with a ruff somewhat asinowls . . ers cians as La A 1a is aes ab ae “Se so Aes CIRCcIN A 
Face without ruff. ‘ 
Tarsus approximately equal to tibiain length; rounded wings little longer than tail AccIPITRINE 
Tarsus decidedly shorter than tibia. 
Tail forked, or much shorter than the long pointed wings. .- eid RS A Be . MILVINZ 
Tail not forked, moderately shorter than the obtuse wings . . . . . se BUTEONINZE 
