BIRDS OF PREY 



[358.1] Merlin. Falco cesalon. 



This common European species was once acci- 

 dentally taken in southern Greenland. Their eggs 

 are generally laid on the ground on cliffs or banks. 



359- Aplomado Falcon. 



Falco fusco-ccerulescens. 



Range. — Tropical America north to Mexican 

 boundary of the United States. 



This handsone and strikingly marked Falcon is 

 found in limited numbers within the United States, 

 but south is common and widely distributed. They 

 nest at a low elevation, in bushes or small trees, 

 making their rude nests of twigs, lined with a 

 few grasses. They lay three, and sometimes four, 

 eggs which have a creamy white ground color, 

 finely dotted with cinnamon, and with heavy 

 blotches of brown. Size 1.75 x 1.30. 



Buff 



[359.1-1 Kestrel. Falco tinnunculus. 



Range. Whole of Europe; accidental on the 

 coast of Massachusetts. 



This species is very similar in size and colora- 

 tion to the American Sparrow Hawk. They arc 

 much more abundanl than the sparrow Hawk is 

 in this country and frequently nesl about houses, 

 in hollow trees, on rafters of haras, or on ledges 

 and embankments. Their eggs arc of a reddish 

 buff color, speckled and blotched with reddish 

 in-own. they being much darker than those or the 



American Sparrow I lawk. 



* tt * 



A plomado Falcon 



Desi rt Sparrow Hawk 



h buff 



160 



i Desert Sparrow Hawk. Falco sparverius phalana. 



Range. Western United states from British Columbia south to Mexico. 

 This varietj i: slightlj larger and paler than the eastern form. There are no 

 differences in the ident Ifical ion of the two v&rlt ; 



221 



