In respect to the situation of this bird among its congeners, we retain it, provisionally, in the genus _Psittacula_ of Brisson & Kuhl, adopting the termination used by M. Spix, to avoid the alteration of specific names. We have not yet had leisure to study the new divisions made in this family, with that attention they deserve; but it strikes us, as a defect in the genus _Psittaculus_, that it unites birds of the Old and the New World in one group. Except in their size, no two parrots can be more dissimilar in construction than the Indian P. _vernalis_, and the American P. _passerinus_. In the first, the under mandible is smallest, narrow, and rather pointed; the first quill longest; and the tail feathers rounded. In P. _passerinus_, the under mandible is largest, high, very thick, and quite obtuse; the second quill longest, and the tail feathers acutely pointed. These may be usefully employed as sectional characters, until the contents of the two groups are better understood. * * * * * * [Illustration: _Brazilian Crested Eagle_, Polyborus Braziliensis.] POLYBORUS Braziliensis _The Caracara; or Brazilian-crested Eagle._ ---- Family Falconidæ. GENERIC CHARACTER.--See Vieil. Orn. 3. p. 1180. ---- SPECIFIC CHARACTER. _Body above and beneath, crest of the head, and end of the tail, blackish brown: the rest of the plumage cream colour, varied with spots and bands._ Falco Braziliensis. _Lin. Gm. 64._ Buzard du Brézil. _Buffon._ La Caracara. _Azara Voy. 3. p. 32._ _Vieil. Orn. 3. p. 1180._ Polyborus Vulgaris. _Vieil. Gall. Pl. 7._ In Mus. Paris. D. Taylor. ---- The whole extent of Tropical America, from Mexico to the banks of the Rio Plata, is inhabited by this majestic bird. It has been slightly noticed by the earlier writers, but nothing was known of its history, until the publication of the invaluable Memoirs of Azara. Its length is about twenty-one inches. In its habits there is a mixture of cowardice and daring. It will attack all other rapacious birds, excepting eagles, for the purpose of robbing them of their prey, and will often seize the game of the hunter, before he has time to secure it. Yet the Caracara is frequently driven from its haunts by the courage of small birds; and will only attack young chickens when not defended by their mother.