MILVINdE. 
Pern is Cuv.* 
Bill weak, gradually curved from the base to the tip, which is hooked, the lateral margins curved, 
the sides compressed, the gonys gradually advancing upwards ; the nostrils long, narrow, placed 
obliquely in the cere ; the lores thickly clothed with scalelike feathers. 11 ings long, broad, with the 
third, fourth, and fifth quills the longest. Tail long, broad, and somewhat rounded. Tarsi short, with 
the basal half plumed, and the rest covered with reticulated scales. Toes slender, with the last joint 
covered with transverse scales, the inner one the longest ; the claws moderate and curved. 
These migratory birds inhabit the eastern parts of the Old World. The typical species is occasionally found m 
England. They prey chiefly on insects, especially on bees, wasps, and their larva;, and on the smaller species of reptiles 
and quadrupeds. They are sometimes seen flying with ease and graceful buoyancy near ponds, in search of dragon flies 
and other aquatic insects. They build in the lofty trees, making their nest of twigs lined with wool, &c. 
1. P. apivorus (Linn.) PI. enl. 420. — Falco poliorhynchus 
Bechst. ; Accipiter lacertarius Pall. ; Pernis communis Cuv. ; Falco 
dubius Span-. ; F. incertus Lath. Jard. & Selby’s 111. Orn. n. s. t. 1. 
2. P. cristatus Cuv. Reg. Anim. p. 232, t. 3. f. 4. — Falco ptilo- 
rhynchus Temm. PI. col. 44. ; Pernis Elliottii James. ; P. maculosa 
Less. 
3. P. Jerdoni Blyth, Journ. A. S. 1842. 464. 
4. ? P. torquatus Less. Traite d’Ornith. p. 76. 
5. ? P. rvficollis Less. Traite d’Ornith. p. 77- 
6. ? P. albogularis Less. Traite d’Ornith. p. 77 
Milvus Cuv A 
Bill laterally compressed, the culmen straight at the base and then much curved to the tip, which is 
acute, the lateral margins somewhat straight ; the nostrils oval, and placed rather obliquely in the cere. 
Wings very long, with the third and fourth quills the longest. Tail very long, broad, rounded or more 
or less forked at the end. Tarsi very short, partly plumed from the base, and the rest covered with 
scales. Toes rather short, with the outer united at its base to the middle one ; the claws long and 
curved. 
The species of this genus are scattered in various parts of the Old World. Their lengthened wings and tail give 
them great power in directing their course, which consists of large and sweeping circles, performed with ease and 
gracefulness of flight, and they sometimes soar to a great height in the air. They seize their prey upon the ground ; 
consists of young hares, rats, lizards, chickens, &c., and, when hard pressed for food, they do not refuse carrion, &c. 11 
is in the fork of a large tree, generally in an extensive wood, that the nest is formed, made of sticks, lined with smooth 
materials. The female lays two or three eggs. 
1. M. regalis Briss. PI. enl. 422. — Falco milvus Linn. ; F. aus- 
triacus Gmel. ; Milvus ictinus Sav. ; M. castaneus et M. russicus 
Baud. ; Accipiter regalis Pall. 
2. M. niger Briss. PI. enl. 472. — Falco ater et F. fegyptius 
Gmel. ; F. fusco-ater Mey. ; F. cinereo-ferrugineus Forst. ; F. 
migrans Bodd. ; F. parasiticus Baud. Le Vaill. Ois. d’Afr. t. 22. ; 
Accipiter milvus Pall. ; The Type of Hydroictinia of Kaup (1844). 
3. M. cheela (Lath.) — Milvus govinda Sykes. 
4. M. affinis Gould, Proc. Z. S. 1337. 140., B. of Austr.pl. 
5. M. isurus Gould, Proc. Z. S. 1837. 140., B. of Austr.pl. 
Falco pacificus Lath. ? Lamb. Icon. ined. t. 
6. M. melanotis Temm. & Schl., Fauna Japonica, Aves, t. 5. 
Naucleuus Vigors. J 
Bill short, weak, broader than elevated at the base, the culmen much curved and hooked at the tip; 
and the sides compressed ; the nostrils oblique and suboval. Wings very long and pointed, with the 
* Cuvier proposed this genus in 1817 {Regne Animal, p. 322.). 
t It was in 1799 or 1 800 that Cuvier established this genus. It embraces Hydroictinia of M. Kaup (1844). 
| It was in 1825 that Vigors established this genus ( Zoological Journal, ii. p. 386.). 
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