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Arrangement of' British Falcons. 



Order RAPACIOUS (y^ccipitres Linn.). 



Genus Falcon (Falco Linn.) 



Section I. Falcons. 

 This section contains the true falcons, being chiefly those 

 which were made use of in falconry, and called long-winged 

 hawks, from the closed wings reaching to, or almost to, the 

 end of the tail. 



1. Gerfalcon (Falco islandicus Lath.). {Jig. 85.) — This is 

 one of the boldest birds of the 

 whole genus, and was used in 

 falconry for the larger species 

 of game. Its native country 

 is Iceland. The White Ger- 

 falcon, Brown Gerfalcon, Ice- 

 land Falcon, and Greenland 

 Falcon are considered syno- 

 nymous. It rarely occurs in 

 England. 



2. Peregrine Falcon (Falco 

 peregrinus Linn.). — The Hag- 

 gard Falcon, Barbary Falcon, 

 Yearling Falcon, and Red 

 Falcon are considered as only 

 changed in plumage, as is also 

 the Lanner of the Bi^it. Zool. ; I 

 but the Lanner of Lath, and 

 the Arct. Zool. is placed by Temminck as a distinct species, 

 which is said to be found in Hungary and Russia, and has 

 never been met with in England that I am aware of. The 

 Common Falcon (Falco communis) is also placed among the 

 synonyms of the Peregrine. 



3. Kestrel (Falco Tinnunculus i/ww). — 4. Hobby (Falco 

 Subbteo Linn.). — 5. Merlin (Falco J^^salon Lhm.). The 

 Stone Falcon is doubtless only an old male, becoming bluish- 

 grey above. 



Section II. Eagles. 



These birds are more powerful than the former, but not so 

 rapid in flight. 



1. Golden Eagle (F^lcoChrysaetos Linn.), {fig. 86.)— The 

 Black Eagle of Pennant, and the Ring-tailed Eagle (Falco 

 fiilvus) of other English authors, are clearly ascertained 

 to be the young. 



