94 
BIRDS OF PREY. 
the continent of South America, as far as Paraguay. Iir 
the United States it is only seen occasionally in the pen- 
insula of East Florida, confining its visits to the south- 
ern extremity of the Union. It appears to be very shy 
and difficult of approach, flying in easy circles at a mod- 
erate elevation, or at times seated on the deadened 
branches of the majestic live-oak, it attentively watches 
the borders of the salt marshes and watery situations for 
the field-mice of that country, or unwary Sparrows, that 
approach its perch. The bird of Africa and India is 
said to utter a sharp and piercing cry, which is often re- 
peated, while he moves in the air. They build in the 
forks of trees, a broad and shallow nest, lined internally 
with moss and feathers. The eggs are 4 or 5. 
The female of this species is about 16 J inches long, and 3 feet 5J 
inches in alar extent. Sides of the head, neck, and body, and all be- 
neath white. Head pearl-grey, becoming gradually darker towards the 
neck and back, from the front, which is white. Above bluish ash ; 
smaller and middle wing-coverts black ; primaries slate color. 1st 
primary a little shorter than the 3d ; the 2d longest. The closed 
wings attain within an inch to the tip of the tail ; the latter being 
7 inches long, slightly notched, and with the outer feather more 
than half an inch shorter than the adjoining one ; the middle feath- 
ers pale bluish-slate, all the rest pure white. Legs and feet orange- 
yellow ; tarsus covered with small reticulated scales ; toes all separ- 
ated to the base ; the nails, except the middle one, rounded beneath. 
Bill black ; cere orange-yellow and bristly. Iris brownish red. — 
The male> smaller and somewhat darker, tinged with ferruginous. 
