170 



FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 



Subgenus Rhynchofalco. 



Tarsus scarcely feathered above, little longer than middle toe without 

 claw. 



359. Falco fusco-coerulescens Vieill. Aplomado Falcon. 



Adults. — Sides of head black, with white central blotch ; throat and 

 chest white ; sides and flanks slaty blackish, narrowly barred with white ; 

 upper parts plain bluish gray ; wide stripe from eye becoming yellowish 

 brown in encircling back of head ; wing more than 9 inches, with one white 

 bar ; tail tipped with white and crossed by about eight narrow white 

 bands. Young : similar to adult but colors duller, the upper parts less 

 bluish, white of breast buffy, more or less marked with dusky, belly and 

 thighs paler. Male: length 1.5, wing 9.2J-10.T0, tail 6.30-8.0U, bill .00- 

 .68. Female : length 17-18, wing 11.00-11.60, tail 7.S0-8.80, bill .71-.S0. 



Distribution. — From southern Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, south 

 to Patagonia. 



Nest. — A platform of twigs and plant stalks, generally lined with gTass ; 

 placed in mesquite, yucca, or cactus. Eggs : usually o, yellowish white, 

 almost obscured by varying shades of brown. 



Food. — Probably largely small mammals, birds, and insects. 



The Aplomado falcon is a bird of the mesquite, cactus, and yucca 

 plains, where it finds a goodly supply of its favorite foods. When 

 hunting it often hovers in the air like a sparrow hawk, but unlike 

 most hawks rests mainly on the ground. For a falcon it is said to 

 be rather a quiet, spiritless bird. 



Subgenus Tinnuneulus. 

 Tarsus scarcely feathered above, longer than middle toe with claw. 



I. Sparrow Hawk. 



Adult male. — Top of head bluish or 

 slaty, with or without rufous crown 

 patch ; cheeks with two black stripes ; 

 back rufous, with or without black 

 bars or spots ; wings bluish gray ; tail 

 rufous, with black subterminal band ; 

 under parts varying from white to 

 rufous, with or without black spots. 

 Adult female : similar, but back, 

 wings, and tail barred with dusky. 

 Young: similar to adults, but colors 

 more blended and — in male — feath- 

 ers of upper parts edged witii whitish. 

 Male: length 8.7-5-10.60, wmg 7.16, 

 tail 4.73. bill ..50. Female: length 

 0.50-12.00, wing 7.57, tail 5.14, biU 

 .50-..55. 



Distribution. — North America from 

 (ireat Slave Lake south, east of the 

 Rocky Mountains, to northern South 

 „ , . , , ,T ,> . America. 



Biological feuixey, L. S. JUept. ol -»t , Til n • J J 



Agriculture. Nest. — In holes, usually m dead 



Fig. 237. trees. Fggs : 2 to 5, varying from 



360. Falco sparverius Li 



