FALCONID^. 31 



The ear-coverts and feathers on the nape have less white about them 

 than in F. islandus. This is especiahy true of the upper portion of the 

 ear-coverts and the central part of the nape. A dark k^ad-coloured 

 moustache present in most, but not quite in all ; this is absent in 

 F. islandus. These differences are partially developed in birds of the 

 second year, but in the first year the two races are not distinguishable 

 by plumage. Length 20-21 inches. 



172. Peregeii^e Falcon. Falco perefjrinns,Tunsii\\\. Eesidcnt. 



Adult. Above bluish grey, paler on rump, barred u itli a darker tint. 

 Crotun, cheeks, ear-coverts, and short moustachial band blackish ; below 

 white, with a buffy tinge on the breast, spotted on the throat and npper 

 breast, and barred on the lower breast with blacldsh ; cere, eyelids, and 

 legs yellow. 



Young. Above brown, with buff margins to feathers ; lielow whitish, 

 M ith dark brown streals ; tail irregularly barred, tip])ed with whitish 

 buff ; cere, eyelids, and legs blue. 



Length 15-20 inches. 



173. Hobby. Falco suhbuteo, Linnaeus. May to September, in 

 wooded districts only : rare in Scotland and Ireland. 



Adidt. Above bluish black, with black moustachial stripe ; throat and 

 breast white, occasionally tinged with buff, the breast striped with 

 black ; thighs and vent rusty red. 



Young. Buff' edgings to feathers of back ; thighs and vent only very 

 slightly rufous. Verg long ivings. Length 12-1-4 inches. 



174. INIeklin. Falco a>mlon, Tuiistall. Eesident. Breeding on 

 moorlands, chiefly from Derbyshire northwards. 



Adult male. Above slaty blue, with black shaft to each feather ; nape 

 rufous ; throat white ; underparts rufous, streaked with blackish brown ; 

 tail blue-grey, the end broadly banded with black and tipped with white. 

 Length 10 inches. 



Female. Very rarely lives to acquire the same plumage as the adult 

 male : — in this country usually resembles young male, being above dark 

 reddish brown, margined with light brown ; nape whitish, spotted with 

 buff" ; underparts white, broadly streaked with brown ; tail brown, 

 crossed \\'\ih. narrow bands of lighter brown and tipped with white. 

 Length 12 inches. 



175. Red-footed Falcon. Falco vespertinus, Linna;us. Hare wan- E. Europe, 

 derer on migration ; chiefly to England. wintering in 



_,,„.,,. S, Africa, 



Claws yellowish white. 



Adult male. Uniform lead-grey, except reddisli-chestnut thighs, vent, 

 and under tail-coverts ; legs and feet red. 



Female. Above ash-grey, barred with bluish black ; head and nape 

 rufous ; below uniform dull chestnut. 



Young. Like female, but head, nape, and underparts streaked with 

 brown; outside tail-feather with both webs barred. Length 11-12 

 inches. 



