EAGLEs. RAPACES. FALCO. 3 
and has caused in some instances an incorrect multiplication 
of species. 
The gradual increase of knowledge, in this as well as other 
branches of zoology, and the labours of several recent natu- 
ralists (among whom stand prominent the names of 'TEm- 
minck and Montacu), have, however, essentially contri- 
buted to the development of these curious and unexpected 
changes of plumage, and cleared up many of the doubts and 
difficulties in which the history of several species had been so 
long involved. 
By some modern naturalists, the genus Falco has been 
subdivided into several. genera; but as the characters up- 
on which it has been attempted to establish them appear trif- 
ling, and not sufficiently marked to warrant changes of such 
magnitude and importance, I have retained the Genus as es- 
tablished by Linnaus, at the same time arranging the spe- 
cies into Sections, founded upon certain characters common 
to the individuals belonging to each section. 
The Genus contains eight of these Sections; six of which 
are common to Europe, as well as other parts of the globe, 
the other two are confined to South America. In Great 
Britain, we possess members of each of the six following Sec- 
tions : 
1. Eactes. 3. Buzzarps. 5. Hawks. 
2. KiTEs. A, FIaRRIERs. 6. Fatcons, 
DIVISION I. 
Upper mandible of the Bill without a projecting Tooth or 
Process. 
SECTION I.—EAGLES. 
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS. 
Superiority of size. General fabric rather short than long. 
Bill rather straight at the base. Feathers of the head and 
neck narrow and elongated. Legs short and muscular. Ta- 
lons very strong and much hooked. The third and fourth 
quill feathers the longest. 
AR 
