1837.] On the Structure and Habits of the Elanus Melanopterus. 77 



first quill is moderately notched on the inner vane, about 1§ inch from 

 its point : but the notch is less strong and more remote than in Falco. 

 The scapulars are usually about 11 inch shorter than the tertials. The 

 tail is short, and, like the wings, noticeably soft, as is, indeed, the 

 whole plumage. The tail is, upon the whole, nearly even ; but there is 

 a slight gradation from below in the extreme lateral feathers, and 

 another from the centre above. The latter seldom exceeds half an 

 inch, but still the tail may be said to be somewhat forked, though there 

 be scarcely a trace of the divaricating structure, even in the extreme 

 feathers. Shortness and thickness are the characteristics of the 

 legs and feet : but the thickness is of that sort which the vulgar 

 call { gumminess' — not nervous strength. The tarsi are half plumed 

 in front ; their residue, and the toes, being very finely reticulated, 

 with the exception of three digital scales next to each talon. The toes 

 are short, unequal, and cleft, but the outer one, though free, can only 

 act in front. The chief feature of the digits is the excess in length of 

 the inner over the outer fore one. The central one has the average 

 superiority over the others in length : and the hind one is just half as 

 long as the central, or somewhat short but broad and stout. All the 

 digits have nearly the same thickness. The soles of the feet are full 

 and rounded, soft and unbailed. The talons are sufficiently large, 

 strong and acute ; the inner and hind being equal j the central as 

 long almost but feebler ; and the outer fore, much the smallest. All 

 the talons are rounded below, but none of them are compressed. 



The ear, as well as the eye, is very noticeably large ; and the gape 

 reaches to the centre of the eye or more. The breadth of the head, 

 and of the bill near it, have been already noticed ; and these features, 

 together with the amplitude of the wings, and the shortness of the 

 tail and feet, seem to indicate (in the language of Mr. Swainson) a 

 Natatorial or Pissirostral type. And, as there cannot, I suppose be 

 two such types in the circle of the Milvinse, it is difficult to imagine 

 how Nauclerus and Elanus can continue distinct in this single circle. 



But what the manners of Elanus ? The birds of this genus are not, 

 in India, migratory : they breed on (not in) trees, laying usually from 

 3 to 5 eggs in April, May, and rearing commonly from 3 to 4 young. 

 The Chanwa or black wing quests chiefly in the morning and evening, 

 feeding upon small birds, insects and mice. It does not usually seize 

 upon the wing, though its hunting be, for the most part, by continuous 

 questing. Commonly it is seen skimming the cultivation, like a Circus, 

 occasionally poising itself on the wing for the purpose of getting a 

 distincter view of some mouse, small bird or insect which has stirred 

 on its beat and upon which, when clearly perceived, it stoops perpen- 

 dicularly with the speed of lightning. After a while, it will resort to 



