ACCIPITRIN.E. 



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

 hind 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 fre- 

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

 banks of rivers, whence it pounces on mice, lizards, small snakes, and 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 kestrils, 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. I*. Teesa (Gray) Kaup, 111. Ind. Zool. ii. pi. 30.— Astur Hyder i 2. P. liventer (Temm.) Kaup, PI. col. 438 — Buteo pallidus Less. 

 gyfas 3. P. polioyenys (Temm.) Kaup, PI. col. 325. 



Melieuax.* 



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, lar°-e, 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 ones unequal, the outer the shorter and 

 weaker ; the hind toe as long as the inner, and equally strong. 



These birds are only found on the continent of Africa, and it is principally on woody banks of rivers that they are 

 observed. They possess great courage, and a rapid flight, which enable them to attack birds much larger than them- 

 selves. They pounce upon various birds and small mammalia, on which they feed. The male of the typical species, 

 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. 

 They place their nests on the trees, composed of a few twigs ; and the females dejsosit from four to six eggs. 



1. M. musicus (Daud.) Le Vaill. Ois. d'Afr. t. 27- I erythrorhynchus Swains. PI. col. 122. 140. ; Type of Micronisus 



2. M. polyzonus (Rupp.) Riipp. Fauna von Abyssinien, t. 15. j G. R. Gray (1840). 



f. 1. 4. M. ? monogrammicus (Temm.) PI. col. 34., B. of W. Afr. 1. 



3. M. Gabar (Daud.) Le Vaill. Ois. d'Afr. t. 33. — Accipiter j pi. 4. 



* This division was formed by me in 1840 (List of Gen. Birds, 1st edit. p. .'!.), and I now consider that Micronisus (1840) may form 

 a portion of it. 



December, 1844. 



