428 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 



Of tlic foregoing proups only two have representatives in North 

 America ; the Falcnnete, with several members, and the I'ol;ihore(e 

 with a single tropical species coming just within our border. 



The Fiilcoue^e are represented in North America by apparently a 

 single genus, Falco, although it may ultimately prove necessary to 

 raise one or more of the supposed subgeneric divisions to full 

 generic rank. 



Genus FALCO Linn-eub. 



Chab. mUstronc. Its breadth nt the base equal to orexcoccllnB llslenRth; upper 

 outline of the nere on a level with, or rather lower than, the base of the oulmen; itoiiys 

 very convex, the chord of the curve about half that of the eulmen. Maxillary toinluni 

 with a very prominent "tooth," and mandibular tomiuni with a eorrcspondluK deep 

 notch: the end of the mandible belnj; truncatud and the tip of the nuixllla compressed 

 and produced into a stronnly hooked tip. Nostrils small, circular, and with a aonnpli'uous 

 central bony tubercle. Orbital recion bare; projectinc superciliary shield bare and 

 conspicuous, though not very prominent. Tall shorter than the wlnB. more or less 

 roundeil. the feathers rather hard. Primaries very stronc elongated, never more than 

 two having their inner webs emarftinated, the emareinalion angular and near the end of 

 the quill. Tarsus never with a single continuous row of transverse 8cutella>. either in 

 front or behind. Middle toe very long— never much shorter, and sometimes longer than 

 the tarsus. 



The above diagnosis includes the essential characters of all the 

 tnie Falcons, which apparently constitute a single genus, with, how- 

 ever, a number of more or less strongly marked Subgeneric di\-isions. 

 What are probably distinct genera of Fdlconiiitc are Sphaptcn/x, 

 Kaup (South America), and lerax Vigors (Indian). The latter in- 

 cludes the smallest of the Accipitres, some species being no larger 

 than the European House Sparrow (Passer domcsticus). 



The following groups of North American Falcons are pretty well 

 characterized, and some of them (especially Tinnuucuhis) may be 

 entitled to generic rank : 



A. Only the first primary with inner web emarginnted. First or second quill longest, 

 the first longer than the fourth. Sexes essentially alike in coloration, but young 

 Very diiTcrcnt from adults. 



1. Hierofaloo. Tarsus longer than middle toe.and feathered far below the knee. 

 First quill shorter than the third. Size large to largest of the family, 



-. Bhynohodon. Tarsus shorter than middle toe and scarcely feathered below the 

 knee. First quill equal to, or longer than, the third. Size large to medium. 



B. Two outer primaries with inner webs emnrginated. Second or third quill longest, 



the Mrst shorter than the fourth. 

 a. Basal joint of toes without transverse scutellfc. Tarsus about eaual to the mid- 

 dle toe. 



