THE BRAZILIAN KITE. 
45 
Closely related to the preceding bird is the Black Caeacaea, also a native of South 
America. This is a much darker bird than the Red-throated Falcon, the back and upper parts 
being blue-black, and the rounded tail white only at its base. The feet are yellow, the beak 
and claws black, the cere a gray-brown, and the space round the eyes devoid of feathers, and 
flesh-colored. On account of the short and stout beak, and the large tarsus, this species was 
formerly placed in a- separate genus, with the title of Daptrius. 
The Caeeioh Hawks, as the Cakacaeas are popularly termed, are natives of Southern 
America, and from their great numbers, their boldness, and their unpleasant habits, are suf- 
ficiently familiar to any one who has had occasion to travel in the country where they teem. 
BRAZILIAN KIT E.—Folyborus tharus. 
There are several species of Caracaras, which are placed in one genus, and are very similar in 
their habits to the vultures, but on a smaller scale. 
The Sotjtheeh Caeacaea is not quite so large as some of its brethren, but is quite as 
useful and as repulsive a bird. Its length is about eighteen inches, and its color a gray-brown 
upon the back and upper surface, and paler beneath, diversified with reddish bands. The 
thighs are of a banded rusty-red, and the tail is yellowish -gray. The cere and feet are yellow, 
and the bill blue-gray. It is an omnivorous bird, eating vegetable or animal substances with 
equal willingness, and is said to do damage to the potato crop by digging into the cuttings 
before they have time to sprout. It may be that the bird is urged by the desire of eating, not 
the potatoes, but the grubs which have taken up their residence therein, and so confers a favor 
on the planter instead of doing him an injury. This opinion is strengthened by an observation 
of Mr. Darwin. 
The Beaziliah Kite, Caeeahcha, or Beaziliah Caeacaea, is also a native of the 
southern portions of America, and is found inhabiting the same localities as the Southern 
