Descriptions of British Diptera. 
359 
proper place, will satisfy every one as to the accuracy of this state- 
ment. 
The following table presents the general division of birds of prey 
according to our ideas of it, restricted, of course, to the American 
species. 
Ire Famille: VULTURIDEES. Vultur, Lin j 
OISEAUX 
DE 
PROIE. 
He Famille: 
Falconidees. 
Falco, Lin. 
f Rancancas. 
Ire Sous-famille : Caracarides. 1 Phalcobe"nes. 
(. Caracaras. 
Rostrames. 
Circae'tes. 
Aigles-pecheurs. 
Harpies. 
Aigles-autours. 
Autours. 
Milans. 
Cymindis. 
Buses. 
Busards. 
j^Eperviers. 
Falco. 
2e Sous-famille : Aquileides, 
3e Sous-famille : Falconides. 
Strix. 
Hie Famille: Strixidees. Strix, Lin ................ \ Dues. 
1 Cheveches. 
(_ Scops. 
VI. Characters and Descriptions of the Dipterous Insects indige- 
nous to Britain. By JAMES DUNCAN, M. W. S., &c. &c. (Con- 
tinued from p. 145.) 
FAMIL^ TABANID^E. 
ANTENNAE porrected, approximating at the base, generally three- 
jointed, the third joint ringed, without any style or seta at the ex- 
tremity ; proboscis and palpi salient and conspicuous ; abdomen 
consisting of seven segments ; halteres half-covered by large wing- 
lets ; wings extended horizontally on each side of the body ; tarsi 
with three distinct pulvilli. 
The insects of this family are well known for their blood-thirsty 
propensities, which instigate them not only to attack many of the 
larger quadrupeds, but even man himself. In this island they are 
happily not so numerous as in many other countries, but, owing to 
the prevalence of a few species, the annoyance they occasion to cat- 
tle is by no means inconsiderable. Of the six genera found in 
Europe, three only have hitherto been detected in Britain. These 
may easily be distinguished by the following modifications in the 
structure of the antennae. 
Two lowest joints of the antennae somewhat } 5-ringed TABANUS. 
cup-shaped and unequal ; third joint \ 4-ringed H.&MATOPOTA. 
Two lowest joints of the antennae cylindrical and equal. CHRYSOPS. 
