Ik 



MILVINJE. 



Pernis Cuv.* 

 Bill weak, gradually curved from the base to the tip, which is hooked, the lateral margins curved, 

 the sides compressed, the gonys gradually advancing upwards; the nostrils long, narrow, placed 

 obliquely in the cere ; the lores thickly clothed with scalelike feathers. Wings long, broad, with the 

 third, fourth, and fifth quills the longest. Tail long, broad, and somewhat rounded. Tarsi short, with 

 the basal half plumed, and the rest covered with reticulated scales. Toes slender, with the last joint 

 covered with transverse scales, the inner one the longest ; the claws moderate and curved. 



These migratory birds inhabit the eastern parts of the Old World. The typical species is occasionally found in 

 England. They prey chiefly on insects, especially on bees, wasps, and their larva, and on the smaller species of reptiles 

 and quadrupeds. They are sometimes seen flying with ease and graceful buoyancy near ponds, in search of dragon flies 

 and other aquatic insects. They build in the lofty trees, making their nest of twigs lined with wool, &c. 



1. P. apivorus (Linn.) PI. enl. 420 Falco poliorhynehus 



Bechst. ; Accipiter lacertarius Pall. ; Pernis communis Cuv. ; Falco 

 dubius Span: ; F. incertus Lath. Jard. & Selby's III. Orn. n. s. t. 1. 



2. P. cristatus Cuv. Reg. Anim. p. 232. t. 3. f. 4. — Falco ptilo- 

 rhynchus Temm. PI. col. 44. ; Pernis Elliottii James. ; P. maculosa 

 Less. 



3. P. Jerdoni Blyth, Joum. A. S. 1842. 464. 



4. ? P. torquatus Less. Traits d'Ornith. p. 76. 



5. ? P. ruficollis Less. Traite' d'Ornith. p. 77. 



6. ? P. albogularis Less. Traite d'Ornith. p. 77. 



Milvus Cuv.f 



Bill laterally compressed, the culmen straight at the base and then much curved to the tip, which is 



acute, the lateral margins somewhat straight ; the nostrils oval, and placed rather obliquely in the cere. 



Wings very long, with the third and fourth quills the longest. Tail very long, broad, rounded or more 



or less forked at the end. Tarsi very short, partly plumed from the base, and the rest covered with 



scales. Toes rather short, with the outer united at its base to the middle one ; the claws long and 



curved. 



The species of this genus are scattered in various parts of the Old World. Their lengthened wings and tail give 

 them great power in directing their course, which consists of large and sweeping circles, performed with ease and 

 gracefulness of flight, and they sometimes soar to a great height in the air. They seize their prey upon the ground ; it 

 consists of young hares, rats, lizards, chickens, &c. , and, when hard pressed for food, they do not refuse carrion, &c. It 

 is in the fork of a large tree, generally in an extensive wood, that the nest is formed, made of sticks, lined with smooth 

 materials. The female lays two or three eggs. 



1. M. regalis Briss. PL enl. 422. — Falco milvus Linn. ; F. aus- 

 triacus Gmel. ; Milvus ictinus Sav. ; M. castaneus et M. russicus 

 Daud. ; Accipiter regalis Pall. 



2. M. niger Briss. PI. enl. 472. — Falco ater et F. segyptius 

 Gmel. ; F. fusco-ater Meg. ; F. cinereo-ferrugineus Forst. ; F. 

 migrans Bodd. ; F. parasiticus Daud. Le Vaill. Ois. d'Afr. t. 22. ; 

 Accipiter milvus Pall. ; The Type of Hydroictinia of Kaup (1844). 



3. M. cheela (Lath.) — Milvus govinda Sykes. 



4. M. qffinis Gould, Proc. Z. S. 1337- 140., B. of Austr.pl. 



5. M. isurus Gould, Proc. Z. S. 1837. 140., B. of Austr.pl.— 

 Falco paciflcus Lath. ? Lamb. Icon. ined. t. 



6. M. melanotis Temm. & Schl., Fauna Japonica, Aves, t. 5. 



Nauclerus Vigors.^ 



Bill short, weak, broader than elevated at the base, the culmen much curved and hooked at the tip, 

 and the sides compressed ; the nostrils oblique and suboval. Wings very long and pointed, with the 



* Cuvier proposed this genus in 1817 (Eigne Animal, p. 322.). 



f It was in 1799 ° r 1800 that Cuvier established this genus. It embraces Hydroictinia of M. Kaup (1844). 



% It was in 1825 that Vigors established this genus (Zoological Journal, ii. p. 386.). 



