ELANUS HYPOLEUCUS, Gowa.

Celebean Elanus.

Elanus hypoleucus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xxv. p. 127.

 

Tuere is not a more distinct and better-defined group of Hawks than those forming the genus E/anus, the
members of which are widely spread over both the Old and the New World. In America the Elanus
leucurus has a wide range, from Mexico to Brazil; Africa, India, and the Indian Islands are inhabited by
three others; one, the Z. melanopterus, ranges over Southern Europe, the whole of Africa, and India ;
Australia, however, appears to be the head-quarters of the genus, two species at least, the E. axillaris
and £. scriptus, inhabiting that country. The present bird differs from all the other members of the
genus; it is most nearly allied to £. axillaris, but exceeds that bird in size, and is destitute of the black
spot on the under surface of the wing. It is true, some small tippings of black are seen, but they occur
on a different part to the spot in Z. aaillaris: the character by which it may at all times be distinguished
is the silvery-white hue of the under surface of the primaries throughout their whole length.

Mr. Wallace sent specimens of both old and young birds from Celebes; I have seen another example
in the collection of T. C. Eyton, Esq., which was procured in the Philippines ; and J. H. Gurney, Esq., informs
me that he has seen specimens from Java; this latter island, then, appears to be the portion of the Old
World where two, if not all the species of the genus inosculate; the E. avillaris is certainly found there,
and, if I mistake not, the /. melanopterus also. There seems to be no difference in the colouring of the
sexes ; the young, on the other hand, as will be seen on reference to the Plate, are distinguished by having
the head striated with reddish brown, and by having a crescent of white at the tips of the wing-feathers.

The adult has the face, space over the eye, ear-coverts, and all the under surface of the body, under
surface of the wing, under tail-coverts, under surface of the tail-feathers, and the thighs pure white; basal
half of the under side of the first six primaries white, slightly speckled with grey, passing into blackish
grey; on their apical halves this grey hue also pervades the under surface of the remaining primaries ;
crown of the head, back of the neck, back and scapularies deep grey; on the shoulders a large patch of
black ; secondaries and basal half of the primaries deep grey, passing into blackish grey at their tips; two
centre tail-feathers grey above, the next on each side grey on their outer margins, the rest white; cere and
legs orange-yellow ; bill and nails black.

The young at apparently about nine months old differ from the adult in having the crown lineated with
reddish brown, and a crescent of white at the tip of the primaries, secondaries, scapularies, and wing-
coverts.

The figure in the Plate is of the size of life.