Family 2. Pandionidje. Ospreys, Fish Hawks. 



Fish-eating birds of prey found along sea-coasts and interior waters. Plumage close and firm (water resisting); 

 feet enormously enlarged and strengthened, the outer toe reversible to facilitate holding slippery prey. Nests, 

 immense piles of sticks, etc. Eggs 2 or 3, rarely 4; ochraceous-tinged basally and heavily pigmented. One species, 

 five races, nearly cosmopolitan. The American form is 



324. American Osprey. 



Family 3. Milvid^e. Kites. 



"Ignoble," but usually very graceful birds of prey, with wings sometimes greatly lengthened; tail lengthened 

 or various; bill and feet relatively small and weak; nostrils oval, obliquely set, usually closed in with a superior mem- 

 brane; cutting edge of maxilla festooned or, rarely, toothed; tarsi more or less feathered. Not a closely homogeneous 

 group and possibly not separable from the next. Subsists chiefly on insects and minor prey. 3 5 species, 1 Californian. 



325. White-tailed Kite. 



Family 4. Buteonid^:. Hawks, Harriers, Buzzards, Eagles, etc. 



A group of restrained characters, best defined by exclusion of more marked types. Bills various, but never 

 strongly notched or toothed; nostrils not circular nor with central tubercle; often a well developed shield or bony 

 plate over eye; tarsus shorter than tibia, often feathered. Wings of moderate proportions, often rounded, capable 

 of measured and well sustained but not most rapid flight. Quarry seized by pouncing or snatching. Necessarily 

 semi-solitary, or, occasionally, gregarious during migrations. Nest usually a substantial structure of sticks, etc. 

 Eggs 1-6, the shells bluish white basally (and so invariably distinguished from Falconine types), plain or variously 

 marked with reddish browns. A cosmopolitan group, of which 13 species Californian. 



I. Length under 15 inches. 



II. Length over 16 under 30 inches. 



A. Plumage chiefly black. 



1. Lesser and middle wing-coverts and lining of wing chestnut. 



2. Plumage entirely black, save tail which is crossed by slaty 



zones. 



3. Legs feathered to toes; plumage variously black, melanistic 



phase of 



4. Tarsi not feasered; plumage black without trace of pattern, 



or faintly barred on tail, melanistic phase of 



B. Plumage not chiefly black. 



1. Tail nearly as long as body. 



a. Other proportions, especially legs, greatly lengthened; 



rump white. 



b. Underparts, including wings and tail, finely barred, ashy 



and blackish; smaller. 



c. Underparts finely streaked, also wavy-barred or vermicu- 



lated, slaty on white ground; larger. 



2. Length of tail evidently less than that of body. 



a. Tarsi only partially feathered. 



(1). 4 outer primaries emarginate on inner webs. 



(a). Tail of adult chestnut-red with subterminal black 

 bar; chiefly white below; no red on wing-coverts. 

 Tail of young birds finely banded, 

 (b). Tail of adult black crossed by 5 or 6 white bars; 

 lesser wing-coverts chestnut; extensively reddish 

 below. 

 (2). Only outer primaries emarginate on inner web; color 

 pattern highly variable, but usually marked or 

 banded by chestnut below, especially on breast. 



b. Tarsi feathered to the toes. 



(1). Below white, marked with blackish, especially in ab- 

 dominal zone; upperparts dark brown to black. 



(2). Below white, lightly marked or not at all; legs rich 

 rufous and blackish; upperparts extensively rusty 

 with brown and white. 



III. Length over 30 inches. 



A. Tarsi feathered to toes; adult golden brown. 



B. Lower half of tarsi bare; adult with white head and tail. 



327. Sharp-shinned Hawk. 



330. Harris's Hawk. 

 333. Zone-tailed Hawk. 

 335. American Rough-leg. 



331. Western Redtail. 



326. Marsh Hawk. 



328. Cooper's Hawk. 



329. Goshawk. 



331. Western Redtail. 



332. Red-bellied Hawk. 



334. Swainson's Hawk. 



335. American Rough-leg. 



336. Ferruginous Rough-leg. 



337. 

 338. 



Golden Eagle. 

 Southern Bald Eagle. 



20QI 



