FALCO AURANTIUS. 
* 
GOLDEN SPARROW-HAWK. 
FALCO AURANTIUS. Gmf.i,. Syst. Nat. Vol. I., p. 283. (1788). 
FALCO THORACICUS. Donovan. Nat. Rep. Vol. II., p. (1824). 
FALCO DEIROLEUCUS. Temm. Plan. Col. pi. 348. 
FALCO AURANTIUS. Cass. Pac. R. R. Rep., Vol. IN., p. 10. 
It is doubtful if this handsomely plumaged Hawk may properly be included among the Birds of North America, as no individual 
has been captured within the limits usually understood as bounding that division of the New World. A single specimen was obtained 
by the then Lieut. Couch, in the State of New Leon, Mexico, on the Rio Grande ; and supposing it likely to extend its migrations 
into the State of Texas, I have deemed it perhaps best to allot the species a place in this work. 
It is a well-known bird of South America, and is common, I believe, in many parts of that continent. I am unable to give 
any account of its habits, never having seen it alive. 
The life-like representation of this handsome Hawk, taken from a very line specimen kindly loaned to me for the purpose by 
Mr. G. N. Lawrence, is the result of Mr. Wolfs skillful pencil. Entire upper parts bluish slate color, the feathers having the centres 
much darker. Under parts black, with narrow transverse bands of white. Cheeks black. Throat and breast yellowish white. 
Abdomen, under tail coverts, and thighs, dark rufous. Under wing coverts black, with circular white spots. Primaries black, with 
white transverse bands on their inner webs. Tail black, crossed with irregular bars of white, aud with narrow white tips. Bill 
horn-color, black at tip. Feet yellow. 
The figures are the size of life. 
