Genus— L OPHOICTINIA. 
Lophoictinl4 Kaup, Isis 1847, p. 113 .. .. .. Type L. isura. 
Medium-sized Aquiline birds with small slender bills, slight crest on head, 
veiy long wings, long almost square tail and small legs and feet. 
This form is distinguished from Milvus by the tarsal covering, but the 
bill is more slender, wings comparatively longer, tail comparatively shorter, 
and legs weaker and covered with reticulate scales throughout. 
In the wing the fourth primary is the longest, the third primary about 
equal to the fifth, the second equalling the sixth, and the first less than the 
seventh. ' 
The tail is practically straight, really emarginate, and is little more 
than half the length of the wing. 
The legs and feet are small ; the tarsus is half -feathered in front but 
naked behind : the reticulate scales are large in front, smaller behind. 
This is a most interesting form, apparently evolved from Milvus, as far 
as can be judged from superficial characters. It differs chiefly in the tarsal 
covering and the development of a nuchal crest. It would belong to the 
first northern immigration, while Milvus would belong to the second. It is 
noteworthy that the feet have structurally altered, and the tail shortened 
without much alteration in the coloration. 
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