284 
ASH-COLOURED, OR BLACK-CAP HAWK. 
My reason for inclining to consider this a distinct species 
from the last, is the circumstance of having uniformly found 
the present two or three inches larger than the former, though 
this may possibly be owing to their greater age. 
ASH-COLOURED, OR BLACK-CAP HAWK FALCO 
ATRICAPILLUS Plate LII. Fig. 3. 
Ash-coloured Buzzard ? Lath. Syn. i. p. 55, No. 35. — Peak's Museum, No. 406. 
ASTUli A TRICAPILL US. — Bonapa rte. * 
Falco palumbarius, Bonap. Synop. p. 28 Autour royal, Falco regalis, Temm. PI. 
Col. tab. 495. — Accipiter (Astur) atricapillus, North. Zool. ii. p. 39. — Astur 
atricapillus, Jard. and Selb. Illust. Orn. pi. 121. 
Of this beautiful species I can find no precise description. 
The Ash-coloured Buzzard of Edwards differs so much from 
this, particularly in wanting the fine zigzag lines below, and 
the black cap, that I cannot for a moment suppose them to be 
* The Falco atricapillus of Wilson has been confounded by all writers, 
except the Prince of Musignano in his review of Cuvier, and the authors of 
the Northern Zoology, with the Goshawk of Europe. Wilson expresses his 
doubt, from being unable to compare it with actual specimens. Sabine makes 
out the Arctic specimens to be identical. Audubon is of opinion, also, that 
they were identical ; but from what I recollect of that gentleman’s drawing, it 
must have been made from this bird. While Temminck makes a new species 
altogether in his Autour royal, without noticing Wilson. 
The greatest difference between the two birds is the marking of the breast 
and under parts, and it is so distinct as to be at once perceived. In the 
American species, the under parts are of a uniform pale grayish white, having 
the tail and centre of each feather black, forming a dark streak. This extends 
to those in the centre of the belly, after which it is hardly visible ; every feather 
in addition is clouded transversely with irregular bars of gray. In the European 
bird, the markings are in the shape of two decided transverse bars on each 
feather, with the shaft dark, but not exceeding its own breadth, — each, as a 
whole, having a very different appearance. The upper parts of the American 
bird are also of a blue shade, and the markings of the head and auriculars are 
darker and more decided. Wilson’s figure is a most correct representation. 
The genus Astur, of Bechstein, has now been used for this form, and is 
generally synonymous with Les autours of the French. Mr Swainson, however, 
is inclined to make it rather a sub-genus of Accipiter, in which the Sparrow- 
Hawks, and lesser species, have been placed. There is some difference in 
