456 PREYING BIRDS— RAPTORES. 



Genus FALCO, Lixn.hus. 



Fako, LiNx.sus, Syst. Nat. I. I7r,6, 124. 



Gen. Char. General form robust and coiupait. Bill short, curved strongly frcm 

 base to point, which is very sharp, and with a distinct, generally prominent tooth near 

 the tip ; nostrils circular, with a central tubercle. "Wings long, pointed ; tail rather long 

 and wide ; legs short, robust, covereil with circular or hexagonal scales ; middle toe long ; 

 claws large, strong, curved, and very shai-p. (Cassin.) 



This geinis includes tlie most typical species of tlie sub-family, fifteen or 

 twenty in nnioLer, and found in most parts of the world. 



Falco nigriceps, Cassin. 



THE WESTERN DUCK-HAWK. 



Fako niijriccps, Cassin, Birds of C.il. and Tex. I. ls.5.3, 87. In. U. S. Astron. Exp. to 

 Chili, II. pi. xiv. IS.'jS. In. P. R. Rep. Birds, IX. 1858, 8. — Cooper and Sucklet, 

 XII. iii. Zool. of W. T. 142 ; pi. xi. 1859. 



Sp. Char. Above dark slaty, with narrow bands of black; qiulls brownish-black ; tail 

 lio-ht ashy at base, banded like the back. Beneath reddish-white, with circular spots .and 

 transverse bands of black. A white frontal liaud ; top of head, neck, and cheeks nearly 

 black. 



Yoiinf/cr. Above dark brown, tail liarrcd with rulnus on inner webs. Beneath clull 

 reddi.sh-yellow, paler on the throat, an<l with broad longitudinal stripes of black ; Hanks 

 and under wing coverts with transverse bars and circular spots of reddish-white. Iris 

 brown ; bill whitish-blue ; feet yellow, or pale green. 



Male. Length, n.-i.'i; extent, 39.50; wing, lloO; tail, 6.00. 



Female. Length ''^..^O ; extent, 43.00 ; wing, 13.7.5. 



Hab. AVestcrn Xorth and South America. 



I liave found this species along the whole southern coast of California, 

 where it resides constantly, while north of the Columbia it is migratory. They 

 build in cavities of the iofty, inaccessible cliffs overhanging the water, both 

 along the main-land and on the islands. On Santa Barbara Island, in jMay, 

 1863, a pair which probably were still feeding their young swept boldly 

 around my head, when I must luiA'e been fully half a mile from the nest, 

 and I shot the female, a very fine specimen. I have seen one pursue a 

 swallow, and turning feet upwards seize it flying, with perfect ease. I liave 

 also seen them pursue qiuiils near tlie coast ; but their chief prey consists of 

 ducks and other water-birds, wliich they seize on the wing or on the water, 

 frequently carrying off birds heavier than themselves. 



