FALCOXID.E — THE FALCONS. 



159 



Subgenus TINNUNCULUS, Vieii.lot. 



Tinnunculus, Vikill. 1807. iTyjn', Ftiico liatianculas, Lix.s. Tbinunculus alaudarius, 



G.MEL.) 

 7 Tichornis, Kaup, 1844. (Tj-jic, Falco cenchris, Nauji.) 

 Paciloriiii, Kavp, 1844. (Type, Ffih-n sparirrhi.i, LiNN.) 



The character.s of tliis siibgenu.'j have been sufficiently defined in the 

 diagnosis on page 1427, so that it will be necessary for me only to add a 

 few less important ones. 



The subgenus Tinnunculus is one which i.s well cliaracterized by pecu- 

 liarities of manners and habits as well as by features of structure. The 

 species are the most arboreal of the Falcons, and their curious habit of poising 



5319S,5 



S319S, 9 



53198 .f 



Tiitnunnihfs sparverius. 



in a fixed position as they hover over some object of food which they are 

 watching is probably peculiar to them, and has been remarked of the Old 

 "World as well as of the American species. In their structure they are the 

 most aberrant members of the subfamily belonging to the Northern Hemi- 

 sjihere and in their weak bill and feet, lengtliened tarsi, obtusely tipped 

 quills, more rounded wings, and more lengthened tail, exhibit a decided step 

 toward II icracidea, an Australian genus which is almost exactly intermediate 

 in all the characters of its external structure between the true Falcons and 

 the South American genus Milcaijo, of the Polyborine group. 



The subgenus is most largely developed in the Old World, where are 

 found about a dozen nominal species, of which perhaps one half must be 



