116 BLACK-CHINNED GOSHAWK. 
Goshawk of Australia ( Aster dibits J, with which, 
in its general form and proportions, it much more 
accords than with the typical sparrow-hawks. The 
wings of our present bird are a trifle longer and 
more pointed. The general structure of the feet are 
the same in both ; the inner toe being a trifle longer 
than the hinder, although their claws are of the 
same size : the chief, and we may add the only im- 
portant difference between the two birds is in the 
scales of their tarsi ; those of Aster albus are large, 
smooth, broad, and transverse, both before and be- 
hind, while the posterior and lateral scales of Aster 
monogrammicus are small, reticulate, and hexagonal. 
Although it is highly important to notice this dif- 
ference, we do not look upon it in any other light 
than as indicating an aberrant species, opening the 
passage to eagle-hawks of the restricted genus 
Halueeius. 
The general colouring of the plumage is very ele- 
gant. A light and uniform grey spreads over all 
the upper parts, and forms a broad band across the 
breast and lower part of the neck. The chin is of 
a pure white, relieved down the middle by a stripe 
of deep black, composed of five or six feathers en- 
tirely of that colour ; the orbits, which are feathered, 
are lighter than the cheeks and sides of the head, 
the rump has a deep black bar, which contrasts 
agreeably with the pure white of the upper tail- 
covers. The lesser quills have white terminal 
margins, and are crossed by about eight dusky- 
blackish bars, hardly, if at all, perceptible when the 
