FALCO. 65 



p. 13 ; Hume, BoiKjh Notes, vol. i, p. 35; Murray, Hdhlc, Zooh, S,-c.,Sin<K 

 p. 105. Falco barbatus, Gm. 8. N., vol. i. p. 252. Gyptetus hemala- 

 chanuSj Hutton, Jour. As. Soc. Ben., vol. vii. p. 22. Gypa3tus orientalis, 

 Blyth, Ibis, 1863. — The Bearded Vulture or Lammergeyer. 



Adult. — Above black, a few brown feathers on the rump; quills 

 brown, externally washed with ashy, the secondaries with ochreous 

 brown, the shafts of all the feathers white, feathers of the back also 

 white shafted, tinged with buffy, especially on the wing-coverts. Head 

 white, with dark streaks ; nape feathei's lanceolate elongate, tinged 

 with bright tawuy ; cheek stripe and supercilium black ; bristles over 

 the nostrils and tuft of hairs under the chin black. Entire lower parts 

 rich tawny, dull orange, or ferruginous ; a dark pectoral collar (not 

 always present) more or less distinct. Under wing-coverts dark 

 brown with pale shaft-streaks. Bill bluish horn, the tip darker; 

 feet plumbeous ; iris pale orange, sclerotic membrane blood-red. 



Length. — 45 to 46 inches, expanse 108 to 112, wing 29-5, tail 20, 

 tarsus 4, culmen 3' 7. 



Hah. — The highest mountains of Europe, Asia, and Africa, princi- 

 pally the most inaccessible parts ; also the Himalayas from Nepaul to 

 Cashmere, and the Salt and Sooliman Ranges; not uncommon in 

 the Bolan (Beloochistan) and South Afghanistan. 



The Lammergeyer is not common in any part of Sind, except the 

 northern country, at and beyond Jacobabad, affecting the hilly dis- 

 ti-icts. Whether it is a permanent resident of those parts or only a 

 winter visitant, is not known. Mr. Hume, in his contributions to the 

 Ornithology of India, &c., in Straij FeatJiers, states that he observed 

 it on two occasions in the hills dividing Sind from Khelat. Dr. Day 

 observed it in Durryah, and it is said to be well known to sportsmen 

 who have shot ibex in those ranges. 



It does not possess the carrion-eating propensities of the other 

 vultures, but kills its own game, comprising ibex, hares, &c. 



Family, FALCONID^,— Falcons. 



Bill usually short and compressed ; tip elongated, curved and sharp. 

 Commissure of upper mandible distinctly toothed or festooned. Head 

 always covered with true feathers. 



Sub-Family FALCONING,— True Falcons. 

 Wings long, second quill usually longest, legs reticulated. 



Gen. Falco. — Linn. 

 Nostrils round with a central tubercle. First one or two quills 

 notched internally, second quill longest; tarsus feathered at the knee; 

 toes long, scutellated. 



Falco peregrinus, Gmel. S. N., vol. i. p. 272; Jerdon, Birds of 

 India, vo\. i. p. 21 ; Ibis, 1871; Gray, Cat. Br. Mus., p. 11 ; Huvi'c, 

 Rouyh Notes, vol. i. p. 49; S/iarpe, Cat. Ace. Br. M., p. 376 ; Murray, 

 Hdb/c, Zool., S)-c., Sind, p. 106. Bhyri (the female), Bhyri Bacha (the 

 male), Hind. — The Pekegkine Falcon. 



liz 



