MONOGRAPH OF THE FALCONID^, 
osteologically pointed out the Falconince by the quasi tooth in the 
jaw-bones, and by the round nostrils bored in the nasal-bones , if 
Ictinia, the subgenus Baza , Ibicter, and Polyborus , had not par- 
tially the same characters, and if Harpagus had not the nostrils 
covered with a soft membrane. Nevertheless, I am sure, no orni- 
thologist will say, that Harpagus , with its wings like Nisus, is an 
Accipiter, or Ictinia, Baza, Polyborus, Ibicter, are true falcons. 
If I could exclude the Accipitrine type Circus, from the third 
rank of the subfamily Milvmce, I might with some reason distin- 
guish these latter by their long wings, short tarsi, toes, and more 
or less deeply forked tail, if the subgenus Gampsonyx, which has 
short wings and no forked tail, did not constitute an objection in 
its entire form. However, it is a true Elanus, and cannot possibly 
be separated. 
It must be observed, that the whole of the Accipitrince have not 
high tarsi and short wings ; and in Aquilince, particularly in the 
genus Cercaetus, all forms of the wing exist, most fatally perplex- 
ing the present arrangement ; and also all sorts of tarsal coverings, 
feathers, scuta, and scales occur. The same is the case with the 
Buteonince. 
W ith respect to the subfamilies, I can only explain or lay down 
this rule, that in one exclusive genus, one particular type is clearly 
exhibited, which gives its proper rank to the genus and subfamily, 
and that the other genera are grouped according to the type which 
is prominently exhibited in them. 
The great question, how the members of the Falconidce gene- 
rally range themselves together as members of a subfamily, can- 
not be answered, because the main character may be felt and yet 
not expressed by words. In a word, the forms must agree with 
one another, like the verses of a good poem. As to the poet, no 
lules can be prescribed by academics, so no receipt can be given 
the zoologist, how he is to arrange the forms without deviations. 
He must bring into his science an innate and high sense of adap- 
tation, without which he will ever remain a bungler. With this 
sense, and with the help of philosophy, the forms of life must be 
studied in order to hit the truth, when making arrangements in 
collections. 
Before concluding these remarks, I feel it a duty to express my 
warmest thanks to my friends and patrons, particularly to C.L.Bona- 
