ACCIPITRES. 
171 
deeply furcate]. It attacks reptiles [and the larger insects, and has been known to scrape out Wasps’-nests like 
the Pern. Its talons are not rounded underneath, on account of which, together with other distinctive characters, 
it is now generally recognized as constituting the Nauclerus, Vigors. This bird is indigenous to America, but 
has been known to stray into Britain. It is social in its habits, and almost gregarious. A nearly allied African 
species constitutes the Elanoides of Vieillot.] 
The Kites, properly so called {Milvus, Cuv.)— 
Have the tarsi scutellated and stronger, [and are very nearly related to the Ernes]. 
The Common or Red Kite {F. milvus, Lin.).— Of all European Birds, this remains longest and most tranquilly 
on the wing. It scarcely attacks any thing but reptiles. [Another European species, not hitherto found in Britain, 
where the first is fast disappearing, is 
The Black Kite {M. ater, Gm.). — The author has likewise ranged here 
The American Puttock (E. plumbeus, Lath.), or the Mississipi Kite of Wilson, which is referrible to Vieillot’s 
genus Ictinia, now generally accepted. This forms an obviously distinct group, the members of which are much 
more powerfully armed than the Kites, having a short and stout beak, the upper mandible of which is somewhat 
angularly festooned, and talons comparatively developed. They prey, however, principally on the larger insects, 
and occasionally on Snakes and Lizards : are most nearly related to the Elanets.] 
The Perns {Pernis, Cuv.), — 
Or Honey Buzzards, combine, with the weak bill of the Kites, a very peculiar character, in having the 
space between the eye and beak, which in the rest of the genus Falco is naked, and only furnished 
with some [radiating] bristly feathers, covered with close feathers disposed like scales ; their tarsi are 
half-feathered above, and reticulated ; their tail even ; wings long, [the third quill being longest] ; and 
their beak curved from its base, as in all that follow. 
The Common Pern {F. apivorus, Lin.) pursues insects, and principally Bees and Wasps, [the combs of which it 
scratches out of banks to feed on the maggots : in default of these, however, it will attack small warm-blooded 
animals and reptiles. It runs with celerity on the ground ; is migratory ; and generally builds on the tops of 
lofty beeches. Two or three additional species have been ascertained, all from the Eastern Continent]. 
The Buzzards {Buteo, Bechstein) — 
Have long vangs, the tail even, the beak curved from its base, the interval between it and the eyes 
without feathers, [at least such as the Perns exhibit], and the feet strong. 
Some of them have the tarsi feathered to the toes [the Butdetes, Lesson]. They are distinguished 
from the Eagles by having the heak curved from its base, and from the Hawks and Eagle-hawks by 
their feathered tarsi and long wings. Europe possesses one. 
The Rough-legged Buzzard {F. lagopus, Lin.), [of which F. Sancti JoJiannis, Auct., appears to be merely the 
old individuals.*]— One of the most widely diffused of Birds, being found almost everywhere. [It frequents ! 
marshy tracts, and particularly rabbit-warrens, which it beats till very late in the evening.] 
But the greater number of Buzzards have the tarsi naked [except on the upper half in front] and 
scutellated. In Europe there is but one. 
The Common Buzzard {F. buteo, Lin.).— The commonest and most noxious bird of prey throughout Europe. It 
remains all the year in the forests, descends upon its prey from the top of a tree, and destroys much game. 
Some species are crested, [have also naked cheeks, and reticulated tarsi. They are barely separable 
from the CircdetL 
The H^matokns {Hamatornis, Gould)]. 
F. bacha, Auct.— A very savage bird of Africa, which preys chiefly on the Uyraces. [Other naked-cheeked 
Buzzards compose the Buteogallus, Lesson.] 
The Harriers {Circus, Bechst.) — 
Differ from the Buzzards in their more elevated [and very slender] tarsi, and by a sort of collar, which 
the tips of the feathers which cover the ear form on each side of the neck. [These Birds frequent 
open moorlands, over which they skim in search of prey very close to the ground, and nestle and 
always roost on its surface.f] 
* We have seen a British-killed specimen as dark as any from 
America. — Ed. 
+ Some systematists consider the Harriers to form a link from the 
Falcons generally to the Owls ; but neither in the skeleton, as shown 
by the sternal apparatus (fig. 72), nor in their digestive organs, do 
they approximate the latter in the least degree. The structure of the 
ear, resembling that of other Falcons, is shown at fig. 77. They are 
most nearly related to the Hawks. 
