374 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. 
FALcO PEREGRINUS (Blanford Vol. III., p. 413 ; 
Legge, p. 101). 
The Peregrine Falcon. 
Description.—Adult : Above blue-gray with dark shaft- 
stripes and bars, the rump and upper tail coverts paler ; 
hind-nsck, upper part of mantle, and wing coverts largely 
dusky ; forehead whitish ; there is a black moustache band, 
which expands into a patch on the cheeks and ear coverts ; 
primary quills brown-black, the inner webs barred with white 
or pale rufous, except near the tip ; secondaries ash-gray with 
indistinct darker crossbars; tail dusky gray, with many 
ash-gray crossbars and a whitish tip. Lower parts white 
tinged with rufous ; lower breast and centre of abdomen with 
a few brown or black spots and bars; flanks, wing lining, 
thigh coverts, and under tail coverts with more regular 
narrow black bars. 
Young: Above dark brown with rufous edges to the 
feathers ; the white bases of the feathers are exposed on the 
nape ; the tail feathers have pale rufous oval spots ; the black 
cheek-stripe is narrower than in adults ; lower parts white 
tinged with buff or rufous and with long fairly wide dark 
brown. shaft-stripes ; wings as in adults. The slaty-gray 
back of the adult is gradually attained, while the dark markings 
on the breast slowly become smaller, and in old birds practi- 
cally disappear, save for a few specks on the abdomen and 
three-cornered marks on the thighs. 
Bill bluish, black at the tip; cere and orbital skin yellow ; 
iris brown ; legs and feet yellow. 
Females : length about 19; wing 14°5; tail 7°5; tarsus 
2-2; mid-toe without claw 2°25 ; bill from gape 1°35. 
Males are smaller : length about 16; wing 12:5. 
Distribution.—A very rare migrant during the north-east 
monsoon, keeping mainly to the coast, but specimens have 
been met with inland as far as the bases of the main central hill 
ranges. It is found all over the world, breeding in the north 
and visiting the tropics in winter. 
Habits, &c.—This species in Ceylon generally frequents 
cliffs and marshes near the sea, preying largely on Wild-fowl and 
