30 



ACCIPITPJNiE. 



ample, and rounded at its end. Tarsi twice the length of the middle toe, without the claw ; and covered 

 with reticulated scales, those in front the largest. Toes very short ; the lateral ones unequal, and the 

 hind toe and inner equal, and covered with transverse scales above. 



The species are peculiar to India and its isles. Mr. Jerdon informs us that the typical species of this division 

 frequents topes, as well as the open country, where it may be seen seated on the low trees and shrubs, an ant-hill, or 

 the banks of rivers, whence it pounces on mice, lizards, small snakes, various large insects, and their larva?. The flight 

 of the Teesa is tolerably rapid, and performed by repeated strokes of the wings, exactly like that of the kestrels, for 

 which, at a distance, he has occasionally mistaken it. Its flight, too, in general, is low. He has seen it several times 

 take a much more extended flight than usual over a rumna, flying at a low elevation, and now and then rising slowly a 

 few feet ; and has also observed it apparently capture a locust, or some other insect on the wing. 



1. P, Teesa (Gray), Kaup, 111. Ind. Zool. ii. pi. SO.— Astur 

 Hyder Sykes. 



2. P. liventer (Teram.) Kaup, PI. col. 438.— Buteo pallidus 



3. P. poliogenys (Teram.) Kaup, PI. col. 325. — Falco indicus 

 Gmel. ? 



4. P. pyrrhogenys (Temra. & Schl.) Fauna Japonica, p. 21 



Astur barbatus Eyton. 



Melierax.* 



Bill moderate, gradually arched to the tip, broad at the base, and with the sides compressed towards 

 the tip ; the cere covering half of the bill, and the sides of the gape naked ; the nostrils placed in the cere, 

 large, and rather oval. Wings long ; with the third, fourth, and fifth quills nearly equal and longest. Tail 

 long and ample. Tarsi nearly twice the length of the middle toe, and covered in front with transverse 

 scales. Toes rather short, with the lateral toes unequal ; the outer toe the shorter and weaker ; the hind 

 toe as long as the inner, and equally strong. 



This bird is only found on the continent of Africa, and it is principally on woody banks of rivers that it is observed. 

 It possesses great courage and a rapid flight, which enables it to attack birds much larger than itself. It pounces upon 

 various birds and small mammalia, on which it feeds. The male, when perched on the summit of the trees in company 

 with its female, or near the nest when she is sitting, sings for hours together ; and is invariably heard in the morning 

 and on the decline of day, and sometimes also during the night. It places its nest on the trees, composed of a few 

 twigs, and the female deposits from four to six eggs. 



M. canorus (Thunb.) Levaill. Ois. d'Afr. t. 27. — Falco musicus Baud. ; F. polyzonus Riipp. Fauna Abyss, t. 15. f. 1. 

 * This division was formed by me in 1840 (List of Gen. of Birds, p. 5.). 



June, 18 



