HARRIERS. 
195 
suit or quick movements are not employed, but 
habits of watchfulness by soaring may be per- 
ceived, or a slow but persevering flight. Their 
form, with the exception of Circus, as may be 
surmised from these remarks, is heavy, rather 
inelegant ; the expansion of the wings ample, 
but of that rounded and hollow construction 
which is unfavourable for great activity. The 
True Buzzards seem to lead to the Eagles on 
the one hand, and to Astur in the Accipitrine 
circle on the other ; the connection of the Kites 
to Nauclerus is at once perceived, while the 
peculiarity of the facial disk in the Harriers at 
once brings us to the Owls. 
Buteo. Generic characters. — Bill weak, 
slightly bending from the base, compressed, 
edge of the mandible very slightly lobed, 
cere large, nostrils pyreform, with the 
narrow point placed upwards and forwards, 
situate obliquely ; wings long, ample, first 
quill shortest, equaling the seventh ; fourth 
longest, the four first with the webs deeply 
notched, decreasing in depth with the fifth, 
and afterwards becoming limited ; legs and 
feet short but strong ; claws short, not much 
hooked. 
Note . — Runs into Aquila by the common form 
