AVES. 
i 172 
There are only three species in France, which have been multiplied by the nomenclators on account of the varia- 
tions of their plumage. [The Common, Montagu, and Marsh 
Harriers are alluded to j besides which the C.pallidus, an abun- 
dant Asiatic species, has recently been met with in the east of 
Europe. There are numerous others.] 
Finally, 
The Sbceetary {Gypogeranus, Illig.), — » 
Is an African bird of prey, the tarsi of -which are at least 
double the length of those of the preceding, which has 
induced some naturahsts to range it among the Waders; 
but its thighs, entirely covered with feathers, its hooked 
beak, projecting eyehds, and all the details of its ana- 
Fig:. 77 —Ear of Harrier. tomy, concuT to placc it in the present order. Its tarsi 
are scutellated, the toes proportionally short, and the circumference of the eyes naked; it has 
a long rigid crest on the occiput, and the two middle feathers 
of its tail extend far beyond the others. An inhabitant of the 
arid and covertless plains in the neighhourhood of the Cape, it 
pursues reptiles on foot, whence its claws become much worn. 
Its principal strength is in the foot. It is the 
Falco serpentqrius, Gm. — An attempt has been made to multiply the 
breed in Martinique, where it might render the most important service 
by destroying the lance-headed Vipers which infest that island. [This 
bird, two if not three species of which are recognized, resembles the 
Vultures in having fifteen cervical vertebrae. It offers no molestation to 
poultry or other warm-blooded animals.] 
Although a vast number of generic and subgeneric names have 
been applied, the Diurnal Birds of Prey may be reduced to 
comparatively few natural divisions. After detaching the Vul- 
tures and the Secretary, the genera Pandion and Herpethotheres 
may be signalized as forming a particular subdivision apart from 
all the rest. The whole of the remainder then form an equiva- 
lent natural group, the members of which scarcely differ anato- 
mically. The most distinct subdivision is that of the Coronards, 
whieh alone differ in the number of pelvic vertebrte, and in 
having the outer toe reversible, as in the Ospreys and Owls. The 
rest are little else than adaptive modifications of one another, 
aceording in all their rudimental eharacters. We may commence 
with the Falcon group, followed by that of the Hawks (or the 
subdmsions Dcedalion, Asturina, Astur, Accipitevy and Gymnogenys) ; the Harriers naturally succeed,^ ^, 
which lead by C. (Bruginosus to the Ernes, and then to the Kites {Milvus, as restricted); probably the* ' I 
Buzzards and Eagles, which are hut arbitrarily separable, should next range, merging into the Eagle- ^ 
hawks ; or perhaps the Perns, followed by the Elanet group (including Ictinia). We are less satisfied of 1 
the affinities of the Caracaras, of the Cymindues, and of the Marsh-eagles and Hsematoms, which last 
group seems to approximate that of the Hawks.] 
The Nocturnal Birds OF Prey Iff 
Have the head large j very great eyes, directed forwards, and surrounded by a circle of 3li 
fringed feathers, the anterior of which cover the cere of the beak, and the posterior the orifice of 1 
the ear. Their enormous pupils permit so much light to enter, that they are dazzled in full day. jj ' 
Their skull, inflated, but of a slight substance, contains large cavities that communicate with the fl ; 
ears, and probably assist the sense of hearing ; but their apparatus for flight is feeble, the furcula flii 
offering but slight resistance : their feathers, with soft barbs, and delicately downy, make no ( 
noise in flying. The external toe can be voluntarily directed forward or behind. These Birds fly ( ! 
1 
