ACCIPITRES. 
169 
The Marsh-eagles {Circdetus, Vieillot) — 
Hold a sort of mediate station between the Ernes, the Ospreys, and the Buzzards. They have the 
wings of the Eagles and Buzzards, and the reticulated tarsi of the Ospreys. Such are 
The European Marsh-eagle, or Jean-le-blanc, (F, gallicus, Gm.),— the beak of which curves more rapidly than 
in other Eagles, and the toes are proportionally shorter. It exceeds the Osprey in size, and inhabits Europe, 
preying chiefly on reptiles. 
Le Bateleur of Le Vaillant, {F. ecaudatus, Shaw).— An African species, remarkable for the extreme shortness 
of its tail, and its beautifully variegated plumage. [It constitutes the division Helotarsus of Smith, synonymous 
with Terathopias of Lesson, differing in several particulars from the others, and particularly in the baldness of 
its cheeks. The Bateleur preys on young Gazelles, young Ostriches, &c., and also on putrid carrion, disgorging 
the latter into the throats of its young, as observed of the Vultures.] 
America produces Eagles with long wings like the foregoing, and naked scutellated tarsi, in which 
a more or less considerable proportion of the sides of the head, and sometimes of the throat, is 
denuded of feathers. The general name of 
Caracaras — 
Has been applied to them. From this group M. Vieillot has made his genera Daptrius^ Ihycter, 
and Polyborus, [partly] according to the greater or less extent of the bare part of the head. 
[Phalcobanus, d'Orbigny, Gymnops and Milvago, Spix, have also been applied to divisions of the 
Caracaras. These Birds are carrion-feeders, and pass their time chiefly on the ground, amongst the 
herbage, where their gait is ambulatory. All are from the warm regions of America.] 
The Coronards, or short-winged Fisher-eagles, {Harpyia^, Cuv, ; \Thrasdetos, G, Gray] ) — 
Are also American Eagles, which have the tarsi very thick and strong, reticulated, and half-covered 
with feathers, as in the Ernes, from which they differ chiefly in the shortness of their wings ; their 
beak and talons are stronger than in any other tribe. 
The Harpy Coronard or Eagle {F. harpyia, and F. cristatus, Lin.). — Of all Birds, this possesses the most terrific 
beak and talons ; it is superior in size to the common Eagle. On the back of its head are elongated, feathers, 
forming a sort of fan-like crest upon the nape, which, when erected, impart to its physiognomy a resemblance to 
the tufted Owls : like them, also, its external toe is frequently directed backward. It is said to be so strong, as to 
have sometimes cleft a Man’s skull with a blow of its beak. The Sloths are its ordinary food, and it not unfre- 
quently carries off Fawns. 
The Eagle-hawks {Morphnus, Cuv.) — 
Have, like the preceding, wings shorter than the tail ; but their elevated and slender tarsi, and their 
feeble toes, oblige us to distinguish them. Some have the tarsi naked and scutellated. 
The Crested Eagle-hawk of Guiana {F. guianensis, Baud.), resembles singularly, in its colours and markings, 
the Harpy Coronard of the same country ; but is not so large, and its naked and scutellated tarsi sufficiently 
distinguish it. 
F. urubitinga, Lin., is crestless. Tins handsome species hunts in inundated grounds. [Certain other uncrested 
species, with very long tarsi, constitute the Limndetos, Vigors. 
Others have elevated tarsi, feathered throughout their length [the Spizdetus of Vieillot], 
The Tufted Black Eagle-hawk of Africa (F. occipitalis, Baud.),— inhabits the whole of that continent. 
The Variegated Eagle-hawk {F. ornatus, Baud.; F. superbus and coronatus, Shaw: Harpyia braccata, 
refers to the young).— A handsome species from South America, which varies from black and white to deep brown. 
[Certain Indian species compose the Nisaetos of Hodgson.] 
Finally, there are in Ameriea some Birds with beaks as in all the preceding ; very short, reticulated 
tarsi, half-feathered in front ; wings shorter than the tail ; but the most distinctive character 
of which consists in their nostrils, which are almost closed, and resemble a fissure. A small tribe may 
be made of them, designated 
The Cymindues {Cymindis, Cuv.). 
Such is 
The small Cayenne Hawk of Buffon (F. cayennensis, Gm.) ; which has another peculiar character, by possessing 
a small tooth at the bend of its beak. 
[F. hamatus, Illiger, ranged by the author in Cymindis, composes the Rostrhamus of Lesson ; its beak is very 
narrow, the upper mandible resembling a long and slender claw : tail slightly furcate. 
• This term was previously applied to a subgenus of Cheiroptera. — Ed. 
