FALCON ID.E. 27 



FAMILY II. 

 Falconid.e. Tlie Falcons. 



Gex. Charac— Bill partly covered at the base by a cere, compressed on the 

 sides, with the culmen curved from the cere to the tip, which is hooked and 

 acute, and the lateral margins either toothed or festooned ; wings long and 

 pointed ; tail moderate and broad ; tarsi and toes of various lengths and 

 strong ; claws long, curved, and acute, especially those of the inner and 

 hind toes. The head and neck are covered with feathers, and the eyes 

 placed laterally, deeply sunk, and protected -by a bony b.-ow. 



The Falcons^ as a group, are easily to be recog- 

 nized among tlie other birds of prey. Their head and 

 neck are covered mth feathers, and their eyes, placed 

 upon the sides of their head, are overshadowed 

 and protected by a prominent eyebrow, which gives 

 them the appearance of being deeply sunk, and thus 

 imparts to their physiognomy a peculiarly ferocious 

 and determined expression. For the most part they 

 subsist upon prey killed by themselves ; but they 

 differ widely in the amount of courage displayed in 

 the pursuit of their quarry; there are, however, a few 

 species that will share vnt\ the Vultures their dis- 

 gusting meal. The Falcons usually seize and carry 

 off their victims by means of their powerfully-armed 

 feet, and their beak is, in most cases, only used for 

 tearing it to pieces. Some of them feed almost 

 exclusively on birds and small quadrupeds ; others 

 upon snakes, frogs, and lizards ; there are a few that 

 live upon fishes, while a considerable number derive 

 a ^'reat portion of their nourishment exclusively from 

 insects. Their mode of capturing prey is also greatly 

 diversified. Some^ hover in the air or sail slowly 

 along until the quarry appears in sight, when they 

 plunge down upon it with the rapidity of lightning. 

 Some pursue their game with the greatest pertina- 

 city, until they get an opportunity of clutching it 

 with their murderous talons ; whilst others frequent 

 woods and thickets, where, like cats, they appear to 

 lie in wait for their victims. 



