RAPTORES. 



99 



BufF. PI. Enl. 416 ; Vieill. Gal. I, Plate X. 



This well-known bird we find mentioned by Dr. Pickering as occnr- 

 ring in abundance at the Philippine Islands. " The Brahmin kite," 

 he says, " is very common in the vicinity of the rivers and lakes, and 

 in appearance and to a considerable extent in manners is a miniature 

 of the white-headed eagle of the United States. A specimen, seen at 

 Mayjayjay, appeared to be an albino. It was perfectly white below, 

 but the wings were lightly tinged with rufous." 



9. Genus MILVAGO, Sj)Lr, Av. Bras. I, p. 12 (1824). 



1. MiLVAGO CHIMACHINA {Vkill.). 



Polyhorus chhnachi'na, ViEiLL. Nouv. Diet. V, p. 259 (1816). 

 Milvago ochrocephalus, Spix, Av. Bras. I, p. 12 (1824). 

 PoJijhorus crotophagus, De Wied, Beitr. Ill, p. 162 (1830), 

 Fako dcgener, LiCHT. Verz. p. 61 (1823). 

 Gi/7mops striyihitus, Spix, Av. Bras. I, p. 10 (1824). 



Jard. and Selby, 111. I, Plate II ; Spix, Av. Bras. I, Plate IV, Y. 



Numerous specimens of this abundant species are in the collection 

 of the Expedition, presenting, however, nothing unusual in their cha- 

 racteristics. Mr. Peale observes : 



"A pair of these birds was found on an island opposite the harbor 

 of Rio de Janeiro, on the seventh of January, where we had reason to 

 believe they were breeding. We were not, however, successful in find- 

 ing its nest." 



2. MiLVAGO CHIMANGO {Vieill.). 

 Polyhorus chimamjo, ViEiLL. Nouv. Diet. V, p. 260 (1816). 

 Gray, Genera of Birds, I, Plate V. 



The chimango is probably the most abundant of the species of the 

 rapacious birds of South America. It is dull and voracious in its 

 habits and disposition, and, in our opinion, shows a more decided 

 affinity to the vultures than to the falcons. 



