( 22 ) Accipitres. [Biurnce.) 
7. SerpentariuSj Cuv. 
GYFOGERASiVSyllliger. 
Beak cleft ; eje- The only Birds of A long stiff crista 
brows projecting; or jjit this Order with the from the occiput. The 
of the eye naked of fea- tarsi exceedingly long ; two middle feathers of 
thers. Fig. 37. plated. Fig. 38. Toes the tail considerably 
short in proportion. surpass the others. 
Eagles, which form the first tribe^ have a very strong beak, 
straight al the base, and ooly curved towards the point. It is 
amongst these that we find the largest species and the most power- 
ful of all Birds of Prey, (i) 
The Astur tribe, which forms the second division of Ignobiles, 
have, like the two last divisions of Eagles, wings shorter than the 
tail ; but their beak curves from its base, as in all those which 
follow. (2) 
Kites have lbs tarsi short, the toes and nails weak, which^ added 
to a beak equally disproportionate to their size^ makes this tribe 
the most cowardly of the whole Genus ; hot they are distinguished 
by their excessively long wings, and by their forked tail, which 
gives them a most rapid and easy flight. Some have the tarsi 
very short, reticulated, and half covered with feathers. (5) 
(1) Head flattened on the top, covered Avitli elongated feathers. 
Beak very much crook'd, a long and very sharp point. Nostrils 
lateral, transverse, sloped ; feet strong, armed with powerful nails, 
very much crooked. Wings long, the first, second and third remiges 
the shortest; the first very short, the fourth and fifth the longest. 
They seize living prey with their talons, and take it to their young; 
when pressed with hunger they fall upon carrion. — Tern, 
(2) Beak strong, superior mandible bearing a strongly marked tooth. 
Nostrils rather oval, wings two-thirds of the length of the tail; first 
remex much shorter than the second, the third almost equal to the 
fourth, which is the longest. Toes lo3ig, the middle much surpassing 
the lateral, nails much curved, and very sharp. Their flight is rapid, 
without shaking their wings much ; it is only in pairing time that they 
describe circles in flying; they are cunning and malicious, and seize 
their prey flying; they mostly inhabit large woods, particularly those 
in the neighbourhood of rocks. — Tern. 
(5) Beak curved at its base ; feathers of the head elongated and 
terminated in a point ; mouth cleft as far as under the eyes; nostrils 
oblique, their exterior edge marked with a fold; the first remex of the 
wing shorter than the sixth, the second a little shorter than the fifth, 
the third almost equal in length to the fourth, which is longer than 
all. In a state of repose they have an awkward attitude, but their 
flight is elegant ; they seem to swim in the air, describing circles ; 
they do not seize their prey when flying, but they fall upon it from 
above, when it is resting on the ground or on some elevation. Tern, 
