FALCOMFORMES. 
the skins. The result is the same, inasmuch as Suschkin proves to be a 
splitter scarcely inferior to Gurney. Pycraft wrote : “ My study of this 
group has convinced me of the soundness of Rr. Suschkin’s conclusions. 
. . . What follows is practically an embodiment of Dr. Suschkin’s views 
in toto : where I have had to interpret him, that is to say where I 
have endeavoured to express what I believe to have been his views, I 
hope I have done him justice.” 
I here transfer this arrangement as written by Pycraft, as it expresses 
the views of the osteologist at the present time upon this admittedly 
difficult group judged from skins only. 
“The suborder, then, of the Accipitres is divided into two Families, 
the Falconidse and the Buteonidse. 
“ The family Falconidse is to be divided into two subfamilies : (1) the 
Falconince, (2) the Polyhorince. The former includes the genera Harpa, 
Herpetotheres, Micrastur, Microhiemx, Poliohierax, Tinnunculus, Hypo- 
triorchis, Hierofalco and Falco. The subfamily Polyborinse embraces the 
genera Milvago, Senex, Phalcohcenus and Polyborus. The family Buteonidse 
is divided into some eleven or twelve subfamilies, though about this 
I am not quite clear, as Suschkin has not definitely expressed himseK on 
this point. But he would apparently recognise the following ; Elanince, 
Pemince, Milvince, Aquilince, Thrasaetinm, Vulturince, CircaUince, Polyborinm, 
Circince, Uruhitingince, Buteonince and Accipitrince. 
“ In the Elaninse are included Elanus and Machcerhamphus. In the 
Perninse, Pernis, Bam, Elanoides, Leptodon and Pandion. But from views 
he expressed in conversation, he would, I suspect, probably make a 
separate subfamily for Pandion — Pandioninse ; and most, I think, wiU feel 
this advisable. 
“The Milvinae include Milvus, Haliastur and Haliaetus, with, apparently, 
Ictinia, Eostrhamus and Polioaetus. HaliaUus, there can be little doubt, 
has nothing to do with the Eagles. Polioaetus Suschkin shows to be 
undeniably distinct from Pandion. The plantar tendons, as h^ proved 
by a dissection made in this Museum, are of the Accipitrine type : the 
skeleton in no way resembles that of Pandion : on the contrary;, the pelvis 
and breastbone, so characteristic in Pandion, bear a quite extraordinary 
resemblance to those of Haliaetus. The outer toe is not more reversible 
than in ordinary Accipitres. HaliaUus, TJialassaUus, and Polioaetus might 
weU be made to form a separate subfamily, Haliaetince. The subfamily 
Aquilinse includes Aquila, Uroaetus, Spimetus, Nisaetus and Lophoaetus. 
The Thrasaetinae contain Morphnus and Thrasaetus. This brings us to the 
Vulturince. By most, this subfamily is regarded as of more importance 
7 
