

MILVIN.E. 



second and third quills the longest. Tail very long, and deeply emarginated. Tarsi very short, with 

 the basal half plumed, and the rest covered with small scales. Toes short, free, and padded beneath, 

 with the lateral toes nearly equal, the inner one the longest, and the hind toe long. 



The two species inhabit South America and Africa ; the former is sometimes seen also in the United States and in 

 England. Their flight is easy and graceful, when sweeping among the trees in the manner of swallows, in pursuit of 

 jnsects. In the early part of May, when a species of cicada, or locust, swarms among the trees of America, these birds 

 may be observed frequently snatching them from the trees during their flight. They also feed on reptiles, and are said 

 to carry their prey in their claws, and feed as they fly. The nest is formed outwardly of sticks intermixed with moss, 

 and lined with coarse grass and a few feathers. The eggs are four to six in number. 



1. N.fureatus (Linn.) Vigors, Catesby's Carol, pi. 4., Wils. J 2. N. Riocouri (Vieill.) Vigors, Gal. des Ois. t. 16., Temm. PI. 

 Amer. Orn. pi. 51. f. 2. — Elanoides yetapa Vieill. ? | col. 85. 



Rostrhamus Less.* 



Bill long, very slender, compressed, and much hooked and acute at the tip ; the nostrils basal and 

 lateral, with the opening suboval. Wings long and pointed, with the third and fourth quills nearly 

 equal and longest. Tail moderate and emarginated. Tarsi lengthened, half plumed, and the apical 

 half scutellated. Toes lengthened, strong, the inner toe the longest, and the hind toe as long as the 

 inner one ; the claws very long and acute. The lores naked. 



The typical species of this genus is found in the warmer parts of America, especially near the Rio de la Plata. It 

 lives chiefly near stagnant water, preying on toads and frogs, or else is seen perched on the loftiest trees. 



R. hamatus (Illig.) PI. col. 91. 231. — Herpetotheres sociabilis | Rostrhamus niger Less. Mag. de Zool. 1834. Ois. t. 20. 

 Vieill. Ency. Me'th. 1248. ; Falco leucopygius Spix, Av. Bras. t. 2. ; | 



Cymindis Cuv.'f 



Bill moderate, elevated, much compressed on the sides, and the culmen gradually sloping to the tip, 

 which is hooked and acute ; the nostrils basal, lateral, obliquely transverse, and narrowed Wings long, 

 with the third, fourth, and fifth quills nearly equal and the longest. Tail long and rounded. Tarsi 

 short, strong, with the basal half plumed, and the rest covered with small scales. Toes long, very 

 robust, with the inner toe longer than the outer, and the claws long, strong, and curved. 

 Tropical America is the peculiar country of the species of this genus. 



C.cayanensis (Gmel.) Cuv. PI. enl. 473. — Asturina cyanopus I 2. C. uncinatus (Temm.) PI. col. 103, 10-1, 105. — Falco vitti- 

 Vieill. Mag. de Zool. 1 835. Ois. t. 22. ; Falco palliatus Temm. PL j caudus Pr. Max. ? 

 col. 204. ; Cymindis buteonides Less. 



El anus Sav.% 



Bill short, very broad at the base, and compressed towards the tip, which is hooked and acute ; the 

 nostrils large and suboval. Wings very long, pointed, and reaching beyond the tail, with the second 



* Established by M. Lesson (Traite d' Ornitho/ogie, p. 55.). 



t This genus was established in 1817 by Cuvier, in his Rigne Animal, p. 319. It is equal with Leptodon (1836') of M. Sundevall, and 

 Odontriorchis (1844) of M. Kaup. 



% It was in the HisMre.de I'L'gypte, p. 98., that Savigny established this division in 1809. It is coequal with Elanoides of Vieillot 

 (1825). 



