WHITE-TAILED HAWK. 
93 
in the United States, it is more than probable, that the 
principal part of the species are constant residents in the 
warmer parts of the American continent. 
In length this species is 14 inches, and 36 in the stretch 
of the wings. (The European Kite is 24 inches to 60 or up- 
wards in alar extent, which is nearly the same proportion.) 
The bill, cere, lores, and narrow line round the eye are black. 
Wings very long and pointed, the 3d quill longest ; the primaries 
black, marked down each side of the shaft with reddish sorrel, and 
their coverts slightly touched with the same. All the upper plum- 
age at the roots white ; the scapulars are also spotted with white 
beneath. Tail slightly forked, and, as well as the rump, black. 
Subgenus. — Elanus. ( Cuvier . Bonap.) 
Bill moderately strong, compressed and rounded above ; the mouth 
cleft beyond the eyes ; the lobe of the upper mandible obtuse ; cere 
villous ; nostrils oval. — Tarsi short, thick, reticulated (or with the 
scales scattered) in front, feathered half way down ; toes cleft to 
the base ; the nails large and acute, the outer very small. Wings 
very long ; the 1st and 3d primaries nearly equal ; the 1st and 2d 
strongly indented on the inner web ; the 2d longest. 
These are timorous birds with a comparatively small and weak bill ; 
they excel in flight, describing graceful circles in the air ; yet they 
seldom attack their prey flying, but dart upon it when at rest. The}?- 
feed on small birds, insects, more particularly reptiles, and occasion- 
ally devour dead animals, 
WHITE-TAILED HAWK. 
( Falco dispar , Temm. Bonap. Am. Orn. ii. p. 18. pi. 11. fig. 2. 
[adult female]. ) 
Spec. Charact. — Bluish-grey, beneath white ; wing-coverts black ; 
tail even, outer feathers shortest. 
This beautiful Hawk, scarcely distinguishable from a 
second, African species of this section, chiefly inhabits 
