808 ZOOLOGY. 
longer tail, and more active and shy habits ; its breeding place is not well 
see Padaed, notwithstanding that it is a common species. 
One genus only, Mibrastier Gray, is exclusively confined to tropical Ame- 
rica, two species of which, M. brachypterus and gucrilla, are found as far 
north as Mexico. They differ from the other Accipitrine in having stouter 
and much stronger bills, and are otherwise more robust. The latter species, 
M. guerilla, was discovered in Mexico by a young naturalist, who was at- 
tached to the American army, under General Scott, during the late war. 
There is also one African genus, Micronisus, Gray, of which the M. gabar 
is the best known species, resembling, however, in most respects its EHuropean 
and American relatives. | 
Sub-fam. 7. Circine, or Harriers. Bill weak, high at base, compressed, © 
greatly curved to the tip, margins slightly festooned in the middle, cere large, 
gape wide, ears large, and surrounded by a ruff of thickly curved feathers, 
similar to those of the owls. Wings long and pointed; tail long, broad, and 
generally rounded. ‘Tarsi long, slender, smooth ; toes short; claws moderate, 
very acute. Size greatly varied. 
In this, the last of the seven sub-families which constitute the great family 
of the Falconida, we find characters begin to show themselves indicating a 
relationship to another family, the Strigid@, or owls, which we are approach- 
ing, but still retaming the essential and unmistakable characters of their own 
family. 
The typical genus Circus, well represented by the hen harrier of Europe 
(C. cyaenus), has a decidedly owl-like ruff of small recurved feathers around 
the face, and the eyes of all the species have a less lateral aspect than 
those of any other falcons. The species just mentioned is common 
throughout Europe; its plumage varies very greatly during its progress to 
maturity, a circumstance which has caused it to be mistaken by the earlier 
naturalists, and the same bird to be described as several different species. 
The fully adult bird is light sky blue with the under parts white, and is a 
handsome and showy bird. It is very shy and harmless in its habits, living 
almost entirely upon reptiles. There are several other European species, 
of which the moor buzzard (C. eruginosus), is, perhaps, the most remark- 
able. Its geographical range extends into Africa; it is said to frequent 
the vicinity of swamps and rivers, and to feed upon small aquatic birds 
and the eggs of larger species, and upon snakes, frogs, and other small 
animals. 
One species only of this sub-family inhabits North America, which is the 
marsh hawk (C. uliginosus), one of the most common species. It is an 
exceedingly graceful bird when flying, and may often be seen about 
marshes and meadows, constantly on the wing near the surface of the 
earth, in search of small quadrupeds and reptiles. The young bird has its 
plumage of dark reddish colors, with a very conspicuous snow-white rump ; 
while the adult, which is more rarely seen, is of nearly the same light blue 
color as its European representative. It appears to be particularly fond of 
frogs, upon finding one of which it generally secures him with its exceed- 
ingly short claws without difficulty, and if undisturbed devours him on the 
512 
