u 



MILVINiE. 



quill the longest. Tail long, and slightly emarginated. Tarsi short, nearly the length of the middle 

 toe, with the basal part plumed, and the other covered with reticulated scales. Toes moderate, broad 

 and free at the base, with the outer much shorter than the inner toe ; the claws strong and curved. 



These birds are found scattered over the warmer parts of the world. They are generally observed perched upon 

 trees or high bushes, or flying above the tops of the lofty trees, seeking for orthopterous insects and small birds, on 

 which they feed. They possess great courage, and will attack crows, kites, &c, and drive them away. The nest is 

 formed between two branches, and is composed of twigs lined with moss and feathers. The female deposits from four 

 to five eggs. 



1. E. melanopterus (Daud.) Leach, Le Vaill. Ois. d'Afr. t. 36, 

 37. Hist. d'Egypt. Ois. t. 2. f. 2. — Elanus csesius Sav. ; Falco Son- 

 ninensis Lath. ; F. vocifer Lath. 



2. E. axillaris (Lath.) G.R.Gray, Lamh. Icon. ined. 1. t. 39. — 

 Elanus melanopterus Vig. S$ Horsf. ; Elanus notatus Gould, B. of 

 Austr. pi. 



3. E. scriptus Gould, Proc. Z. S. 1842. 80., B. of Austr. pi. 



4. E. leucurus (Vieill.) N. Diet. Hist. Nat. xx. 563. — Falco 

 dispar Temm. PI. col. 319., Pr. Bonap. Amer. Orn.pl. 11. f. 1., 



Azara No. 36. 



Gampsonyx Vigors.* 



Bill short, broad at the base, much compressed on the sides towards the tip, which is hooked and 

 acute ; the nostrils basal, lateral, and oblique. Wings long and pointed, with the second and third quills 

 the longest. Tail long, and slightly rounded. Tarsi long, robust, and covered with small reticulated 

 scales. Toes long and strong, with the outer toe shorter than the inner, the hind toe long and strong ; 

 the claws long and acute. 



The habits of this bird are not known at present. It is, however, peculiar to the tropical parts of South America. 



G. Swainsoni Vigors, Zool. Journ. ii. p. 69- — Elanus torquatus Cuv. 



Ictinia Vieill. j" 



Bill short, elevated, and broad at the base, the culmen much arched to the tip, which is strongly 

 emarginated, the lateral margins nearly straight ; the nostrils basal, lateral, and rather rounded. Wings 

 very long and pointed, with the third and fourth quills the longest. Tail short, and slightly emarginated. 

 Tarsi longer than the middle toe, covered with transverse scales in front, and with small scales 

 posteriorly. Toes short and strong, with the lateral ones unequal, the inner the longest; the claws 

 short, compressed, and sharp. 



It is peculiar to America, and is generally seen sailing about in easy circles at a great elevation, probably tracing the 

 tainted atmosphere for carrion, on which it feeds, or searching for insects that wing the higher region of the air. At 

 some seasons it is observed sweeping about among the trees like swallows, evidently in pursuit of the cicadas, or locusts, 

 which are found on them in great quantity. Reptiles and small birds also form a portion of their subsistence. 



1. I. plumbea (Lath.) Temm. PL col. 180. — Milvus cenchris 

 Vieill. Ois. d'Amer. Sept. t. 10. bis, Spix, Av. Bras, t, 8. 



2. I. mississippensia (Wils.) Amer. Orn. iii. 30. pi. 25. f. 1 . — ■ 



Ictinia ophiophagus Fie 

 l.p. 



'I Gal. des Ois. t. 17., Griff. An. Kingd. pi. 



* Established in 1825, by the late Mr. Vigors (Zoological Journal, ii. p. &9-). 



t Established by Vieillot in 1816 (Analyse, p. 24.). It is coequal with Nertus of M. Boie (182S). 



June, 1845. 



