1839] 



of the Peninsula of India. 



75 



Genus SPIZAETUS, YieiW.— Eagle buzzard. 

 20. — S. mihoides. — New species. ? 



Description. — Head and hind neck of a pale orange brown, the 

 feathers lanceolate, and streaked in centre with dark brown. Some of 

 the feathers of the occiput entirely brown and elongated, showing that 

 the bird has been probably crested (I did not see it in the fresh state) ; a 

 narrow superciliary stripe, and a band from the angle of the mouth to 

 the ears and chin, deep brown. Rest of the upper plumage of a sepia 

 brown ; middle coverts and some of the scapulars, broadly edged with 

 whitish brown, causing a conspicuous broad light coloured mark on 

 the wings, as in B. teesa and, though less conspicuously, in the Milvus 

 cheele ; tail darker, barred indistinctly on the inner web only. Beneath, 

 dark reddish brown — palest on the feathers of the tarsi. Cere 

 and nasal portion of the bill yellow — feet do. Bill small, bending 

 from the base; cutting edge almost perfectly straight. Inner edge of 

 the centre claw, dilated, as in Pernis. Feet short ; length 23 inches; 

 wings I6|; tail beyond, 2; from base 9; tarsus 2|, stout; mid. 

 toe 2| ; three broad scales at the base of each claw, inner claw very large. 



This is the bird alluded to, under the head of the common kite, as the 

 one to which the blame of carrying off chickens, pigeons, &c. should, at 

 all events from the accounts I received, be sometimes attributed. My 

 attention was first called to this bird at Trichinopoly, by Mr. Hooper,C. S. 

 who kindly gave me a specimen shot by himself in the act of pouncing 

 on some of his pigeons. I occasionally afterwards recognised it, as I 

 thought, among the kites, and saw it attempt to swoop off chickens and 

 pigeons, though I failed in procuring a second specimen. Its appear- 

 ance in the air and mode of flight much resemble that of the kite, but 

 the crows appear to distinguish it readily, and often clamorously pursue 

 it. I have not hitherto observed it elsewhere. I have given it provi- 

 visionally the name of Mihoides from the general similarity of its 

 markings, and its usual association with the common kite. 



Genus BUTEO.— Auct. Buzzard. 



21. B. longipes. — New T species?—^, albidus ?—Temm. P. C.—Chooa 

 mar, H ? — Long legged buzzard. 

 This bird, if a true species of buzzai d,and hitherto undescribed, may be 

 named as above, from its long tarsi,which evidently ally it to the Harri- 



