144 TlMEHRI. 
This is a very widely distributed species, being com- 
monly found on the coast, and in the immediate neigh- 
bourhood of the town, as well as in the interior parts of 
the colony, along the sheltered creeks and by the open 
savannahs. It is one of the species that commonly goes 
by the name of chicken-hawk. 
The next species, the white-breasted harrier-hawk 
(Micrastur mirandollei) , but for its stronger build, and 
the absence of the red feathers from the legs, might 
easily be mistaken for the red-legged sparrow-hawk, 
which in general colouring it much resembles. The 
generic characters, however, are very distinct, as already 
described. This bird is of about 17 inches in length in 
the female — of which a single specimen alone is in our 
collection. The bill is strong and thick, and the feet 
and toes in proportion. The upper surface is of a pale 
slaty tint, the head and tail darker, the latter tipped with 
white and obscurely banded with three or four bars of 
ashy brown and white, entirely white and very con- 
spicuous on the inner web of the outer feathers. The 
under surface is white, with obscure grey bands on the 
sides of the fore-breast and neck, and with black bases 
to the shafts of the feathers on the neck and breast. 
The single female specimen of this form in the 
Museum collection was procured on the upper Esse- 
quebo river in March 1889. The species does not 
appear to occur on the coast. The plumage has a 
peculiar glossy and silky sheen which renders it very 
delicate and striking in appearance. This is the first 
record of the bird from the colony. 
The third species, the long-tailed or collared harrier- 
hawk (Micrastur s emit or qua tus) differs much in appear- 
