390 
Mr. J. H. Gurney’s List of Birds of Prey. 
Mr. Lauretta is happy to undertake commissions for the collec¬ 
tion of Syrian specimens of zoology and geology, and also of 
objects of antiquarian interest, and that the ornithological 
commissions with which I have entrusted him have been 
executed to my satisfaction. 
The Raptorial species which I have received from Beyrout 
through Mr. Lauretta are— 
1. Gyps fulvus (Gmel.). (Griffon Vulture.) 
2. Neophron percnopterus (Linn.). (Egyptian Vulture.) 
3. Aqujla NjEVia (Gmel.). (Spotted Eagle.) 
The specimen sent belongs to the smaller race, the true 
Aquila ncevia, as distinguished from the larger race which 
inhabits the vicinity of the Caspian Sea as well as southern 
parts of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, and to which Pallas 
gave the specific name of clanga. 
4. Aquila pennata (Gmel.). (Booted Eagle.) 
5. Circaetus gallicus (Gmel.). (European Harrier-Eagle.) 
6. Buteo tachardus (Baud.). (Tachard Buzzard.) 
7. Pernis apivorus (Linn.). (European Honey-Pern.) 
8. Tinnunculus alaudarius (Gmel.). (British Kestrel.) 
9. Hypotriorchis subbuteo (Linn.). (British Hobly.) 
10. Palco peregrinus (Linn.). (Peregrine Paleon.) 
11. Accxpiter sphenurus* (Rupp.). (Ruppell’s Sparrow- 
hawk.) 
This is the first instance which has come under my notice, of 
the occurrence of this species beyond the limits of the African 
continent. The collection contained five examples, in different 
states of plumage. 
12. Circus swainsoni (Smith). (Swainson’s Harrier.) 
* See Riippell, Syst. Ueb. Vog. N.-O. Afr., where this bird is figured, 
pi. 2. Mr. Gurney has sent us a series of Accipiter badiusoi India, and A. 
brachydactylus of West Africa, for comparison with the present species. 
These three birds and A. polyzono'ides, Smith, of South Africa, are all 
certainly very closely allied; but we are not yet prepared to say that they 
may not be distinguished.— Ed, 
