FALCONID.E. 



43 



Falconix.e. 



SUB-FAMILY IV. 



TJie Falco7is ijroper. 



Ge>'. Chakac. — Bill short, the cuhnen curved, from the base to the tip, which 

 on the sides is more or less toothed ; cere covering the nostrils, sometimes 

 rounded, and sometimes long and linear; -wings lengthened and pointed, 

 with the second and third quills generally the longest ; tail lengthened, and 

 more or less rounded ; feet of various proportions j toes usually long and 

 slender. 





Fig. 18.— the peregkixe falcox. 

 {Falco i^eregrinus.) 



Tliese birds are^ in proportion to their size^ tlie 

 most courageous of the featliered race^ a quality 

 which is in perfect correspondence with the strength 

 of their armature and the velocity of their flight. 

 The length of their wing-quills causes their forward 

 course^ in a calm atmosphere^ to be very oblique, 

 so that they are obliged, when they wish to mount 



