Hennixger-Jones — On Falcones of North America. 77 

 THE FALCONES OF NORTH AMERICA. 



BY REV. \V. F. HENNINGER AND LYNDS JONES. 



The reason for this proposed series of papers lies back of nu- 

 merous personal requests from bird students who find the 

 group difftcult, especially in tield identification, that some- 

 thing might be attempted in the way of descriptions to make 

 the task easier or more certain. In presenting this first paper 

 the writer (L. J.) does not feel any confidence that much has 

 been done toward that end, for the reason that there is so much 

 variation in color pattern within the species that anything less 

 than a series of excejDtionally well executed color plates must 

 fail of giving a satisfactory impression of the species. In fact, 

 one mnst needs spend a good deal of time with each species, 

 scrutinizing every characteristic of flight, feeding habits, voice, 

 — life history, in order to feel much certainty about some of 

 the species. This first paper is presented at this time with a 

 view to ascertaining whether enough is accomplished toward 

 the ends desired to v/arrant a continuance along the same line, 

 or whether changes ought to be made, and what changes. The 

 authors therefore solicit criticisms and suggestions from every 

 source. 



It has been deemed best to present photographs of actual 

 specimens rather than line drawings or made up pictures, giv- 

 ing in the pictures only the parts that are important in field 

 identification. It is gratuitous to say that the difficulties of 

 this method have not been fully met. 



The arrangement of the species does not copy any method, 

 but is one which, in the working out of the scheme, seems to 

 the authors to be the most natural one. It is only fair for the 

 writer (L. J.) to say that both the final arrangement and the 

 most of the descriptive matter is the work of Mr. Henninger. 

 to whose untiring energv the work is largely due. 



