174 Notices and Descriptions of various new [No. 159. 



the N. caligatusy (? Raffles), v. F. niveus ( / ), Tem., v. nipalensis, 

 Hodgson*, &c. a change, too, which would seem to obtain in the 

 Astur melanoleucos figured in Dr. A. Smith's ' South African Zoology,' 

 and which converts the Archibuteo lagopus into the Falco Sancti 

 Johannis of the earlier systematists. A South African species of Nisaetus 

 exists in the " Aquila coronafa" also figured by Dr. A. Smith, 

 in which, if that naturalist be correct, the progressive change of 

 colouring is from light to dark ; but his alleged adult is so like the 

 young of the Indian N. caligatus in its first dress, that I suspect the 

 changes will be found analogous in the two species. It may be fur- 

 ther remarked that the Aquila bellicosa, (Daud.) A. Smith, v. Falco 

 armiger, Shaw, pertains to a very distinct and long- winged form, exem- 

 plified also by the Indian Aq. Bonellii, v. Nisaetus grandis of Hodgson ; 

 and in this group, which may be distinguished by the name Eutolma'e- 

 tus, the adults only exhibit white under parts : whilst in another 

 aquiline form which may bear the name of Butaetus, exemplified by 

 the Falco pennatus, Gm., v. Spizaetus milvoides of Jerdon, the 

 reverse change of colouring obtains, as in the ordinary Nisaeti. In- 

 deed, a further approximation to the latter group is shewn by an 

 occasional distinct, though slight, enlargement and elongation of 

 the central occipital feathers, in fine adult examples of Butaetus pen,' 

 natus. 



With respect to Nisaetus cirratus, which is evidently the " Crested 

 Indian Falcon" of Willoughby, T described two specimens in a note to 

 Vol. XII. p. 306 ; and those I must now consider to be young or 

 imperfectly mature : for the Society has since received a much finer 

 adult from Capt. Robt. Shortrede, shot at Midnapore, having a pend- 

 ent occipital crest consisting of twelve elongated feathers, the four 

 longest measuring five inches and a half. In other respects, this 

 species is not very strongly characterized apart from N. caligatus 

 (apud nos,) but has the belly, flanks, and upper tail-coverts, much 

 darker than usual in the corresponding state of plumage of that 

 species, the head also being darker, and the throat more streaky ; 

 the dorsal feathers, however, are decidedly of a different form, being 



* Mr. Hodgson's crested variety of his N, nipalensis refers to N. cirrat us, since? 

 called by him N. jwUidus.—E, B. 



