1855.] 277 



rato, antice rotundato, elytris minus convexis, thorace duplo latioi ibus cribratis, 

 margine basali late fulvo: antennis hirsutis, articulo ultimo elongate Lonj:. 

 13. 



One specimen, Illinois, Mr. Willcox. The joints of the antennae from the 3d 

 to the 10th are nearly equal, and oblong in form : the 2d is a little shorter : the 

 llth is as long as the two preceding united, but is not thicker: the tip is sorai- 

 what acute. The palpi are rufous. 



The form of the antennae recalls Tanarthrus (Lee.) among the Anthicidae, 

 but the eyes are deeply emarginate, as in the other species of Xylophilus. The 

 legs are unfortunately all broken off. 



Notes 071, North American Falconidce, with descriptions of new Species. 



By John Cassin. 



Since the time at which my Synopsis of the Falconida?, inhabiting America 

 north of Mexico, was published in the Proceedings of this Academy, (vi. p. 450. 

 December, 1853,) and since, too, the publication of a more extended Synopsis 

 in my Birds of California and Texas, several collections of high interest, contain- 

 ing numerous specimens of birds of this family have been made for account of 

 the Government, principally by parties that have been engaged in surveying 

 routes for a railroad to the Pacific Ocean. Various collections, containing birds 

 of this family have, also, since the periods alluded to, been received by this 

 Academy, in one of which from Greenland, there are specimens of Hierofalco of 

 apparently two species, being the only mature American birds of this genus that 

 I have ever seen. 



In the present paper, t propose to notice additional localities of previously 

 known species, with such other information as may have been derived from the 

 collections alluded to, forming, in some measure, a continuation of my Synopses 

 above cited. For an opportunity to examine the collections belonging to the 

 Government, I am indebted to the officers of the Smithsonian Institution, in 

 whose custody they are, and more particular descriptions and all information 

 acquired will be published in the Reports of the officers who commanded the 

 various expeditions. 



1. Falco nigriceps, Cassin, B. of Cal. and Texas, 1. p. 87, (Dec. 1853.) 

 The most mature specimen that has ever come under my notice, is in the 



collection made by J. G. Cooper, M. D., one of the naturalists attached to the 

 Hon. I. I. Stevens' Surveying party. It is labelled as having been obtained at 

 Shoalwater Bay, Washington Territory, March 23d, 1854. The entire upper parts 

 of the body are light bluish cinereous, with which color the head above is more 

 decidedly tinged, than in the specimens originally described by me. The throat 

 and neck in front are white, very faintly tinged with yellowish; other under 

 parts white tinged with ashy and with transverse narrow bars of brownish black, 

 (every feather having about six bars.) Frontal band pure white; under wing 

 coverts pure white with brownish black transverse bars. 



In this specimen, there is no trace of the pale yellowish red and circular black 

 spots of the under parts which have appeared in all other specimens that 1 have 

 seen. 



2. Falco polyagrus, Cassin, B. of Cal., and Texas, 1 p. 88, (Dec. 1S53.) 



pi. 16. 



Adult specimens of this bird are in the collection made by Dr.Kennerly, who 

 was attached to the surveying party under command of Lieut. A. W. Whipple, 

 U. S. A., in New Mexico ; also in those made by Dr. Cooper, of Gov. Stevens' 

 party in Washington Territory, by Lieut. W. P. Trowbridge, U. S. A., in Cali- 

 fornia, and by T. C. Henry, M. D., U. S. A., in New Mexico. 



The original descriptions are from female specimens. Those above alluded to 

 are all adults, and do not differ from my description and figure of the adult female 

 in any material point, except that a male in excellent plumage and condition 



