1956 



THE DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY 



of the cavity a pad of the wings of dragou flies and butterflies, upon which to lay 

 their eggs. The latter are white, but the number in a clutch does not appear to be 

 ascertained. It is said that the Malays train the falconets for hawking, throwing 

 them from the hand at the quarry. 



The three remaining genera of falcons are distinguished from the 

 foregoing by their oval nostrils being provided with an overhanging 

 flap of skin. In this group the oval nostrils have the long axis par- 

 allel or oblique to the bill, whereas in the pygmy falcons it is at right angles to it- 



Mississippi 

 Falcon 



MISSISSIPPI FALCON AND SWALLOW-TAILED KITE. 

 (One-half natural size.) 



Of these genera, the one to which the Mississippi falcon belongs is characterized by 

 the bill having but one notch, and by the wings reaching to the tip of the tail; 

 whereas in the other two (Baza and Harpagus] the beak has two notches, and the 

 wing does not reach the end of the tail. The Mississippi falcon (Idinia mississippi- 

 ensis) is one of the two American species which are the sole representatives of the 

 genus, and are characterized by the leaden-black plumage of the upper parts, and 

 the gray head, neck, and under parts. In the figured species the secondary feathers 

 of the wing are silvery gray, like the head; whereas in the other (/. phimbea) they 



