Plate XIII 



ACCIPITER VENTRALIS. 



(EED-CIESTED SPAEROW-HAWI). 



Accipiter erythrocnemius (?) 

 Accipiter ventralis 



Sclater, P.Z.S. 18e55, p. 134. 

 Sclater, P.Z.S. 1866, p. 303. 



Supra obscure plumbeus ; subtus castaneus, gula albicante, pectore plumbescente ; alis nigris, subtus albo trans- 

 fasciatis ; cauda nigra, fasciis transversis quinque, subtus albis, supra plumbeis, item margine apicali albo : rostro nigro, 

 pedibus flavis, unguibus nigris: long, tota 10'0, alae 6*8, caudse 5'5, tarsi 2, dig. med. cum ungue 16. Fcem. mari 

 similis, sed major et gula dilutiore, fere albida ; pectore vix plumbeo tincto. 



Hob. in JNTova Granada int. 



This well-marked species of Sparrow-hawk, was described by Mr. Sclater at a meeting of 

 the Zoological Society, in May, 1866, from an example placed in his hands for examination 

 by Mr. J. H. Gurney, and named ventralis, from the rich rufous colouring of the under-plumage, 

 by which it may readily be distinguished from every other American species of the genus. 

 Our figure is taken from the typical specimen, which is destined to form part of the rich collection 

 of Eaptorial birds in the Norwich and Norfolk Museum. Two other specimens of this species 

 are contained in the Museum d'Histoire Naturelle of the Jardin des Plantes in Paris, to which 

 they were transmitted by M. Lindig from New Granada. The specimen we now figure is 

 also from that country, the skin being of the unmistakable form by which the work of all the 

 native collectors in the vicinity of Bogota may be recognized. 



There is a single mounted specimen of this Sparrow-hawk in the British Museum, also 

 received from Bogota. It is not quite adult, and is less rufous below, presenting faint traces of 

 transverse markings. The under tail-coverts are nearly white, and the plumbeous tinge on the 

 chest is not apparent. In this stage of plumage it somewhat resembles A. erythrocnemis, to 

 which species this specimen has been doubtfully referred by Mr. Sclater, in his list of the birds 

 of Bogota.* 



* P.Z.S. 1855, p. 134 



Ja^uaey, 1867. 



[25] 



