Ceylon Ornithology, 



145 



united to the middle one by a membrane: all covered above 

 with small scales except at the apex, where there are a few 

 transverse ones, and each toe armed with a long, strong, 

 curved and acute claw. 



Genus. Circaetus. Vieill. 



Bill moderate, cuhnen at the base straight, and much curved 

 to the tip, which is hooked and acute, the lateral margins 

 festooned; the nostrils large, oblique, and suboval. Wings 

 lengthened and acute, with the third and fourth quills equal 

 and longest. Tail long and even. Tarsi much longer than 

 the middle toe, feathered below the knee, and entirely re- 

 ticulated. Toes short, strong, and covered with small scales, 

 except at the tips; the outer united to the middle by a mem- 

 brane; the claws long, curved, and acute. 



Genus. Haliaetus. Sav. 



Bill large, culmen straight at the base, and curved to the 

 tip, which is hooked and acute, the sides compressed, the 

 lateral margins slightly festooned, and the lores naked; the 

 nostrils moderate, linear, and oblique. Wings lengthened and 

 acute, with the third, fourth, and fifth quills nearly equal and 

 longest. Tail moderate and rounded, Tarsi short, strong, 

 covered in front with transverse narrow scales, and with small 

 irregular ones posteriorly, and on the sides. Toes long, 

 mostly covered above with transverse scales ; the claws long, 

 curved, and acute. 



Genus. Pgntoaetus. Kaup. 



The characters of Haliaetus, except that the tarsi are covered 

 in front with transverse scales, posteriorly with large irregularly 

 placed scales, and on the inner side with small ones. Toes 

 almost entirely covered above with transverse scales. 



VOL. II. u 



