264. COOPER’S HAWK. 
science, what this rank ought to be. We therefore, in the 
instances above quoted, consider it of little importance whether 
these groups be considered as genera or subgenera. 
But what is certainly of great importance, is to preserve 
uniformity in all such cases, to make co-ordinate divisions, 
and give corresponding titles to groups of equal value. This 
uniformity, however desirable, cannot, in the actual state of 
ornithology, be easily attained ; and we have decided, after 
much hesitation, to continue to employ subgenera. In doing 
this, we are moreover influenced by the great difficulty that is 
met with, in some cases, in determining the proper place of a 
species partaking of the characters of several groups, yet not 
in the least deserving to be isolated ; such as Falco borealis, 
which is almost as much an Astur as a Buteo, and has been 
placed by authors, according to their different views, in both 
these groups. 
An extensive reform is evidently needed in the department 
of classification that relates to genera; and we propose, with 
this view, to undertake at some future period a general work, 
when, erecting our system on a more philosophical basis, 
though we may restrict some, and enlarge other genera, we 
shall, in the instances to which we have alluded, as well as in 
a multitude of others, at least place them all on an equal 
footing. 
Among the several groups into which the falcon tribe is 
divided, we come to one, composed of about sixty species, well 
marked, and, if kept within its proper bounds, very natural, 
to which authors have variously applied the name of Accipiter, 
Sparvius, and Astui, which last we have adopted. 
Found in all parts of the globe, and destroying everywhere 
great numbers of birds and small quadrupeds, the hawks (by 
which English name we propose to distinguish this group more 
particularly) closely resemble each other in colour and changes 
of plumage, especially the North American and European 
species. They are eminently distinguished from all other 
falcons by their short wings, not reaching, by a considerable 

