1(6 



FALCONJD-E. 



Merlin. 



Jer Falcon. 



LALCO, generic characters. Bill comparatively 

 short, curved from the base, the mandible 

 furnished with an angular tooth near its 

 point, fitting into a corresponding notch in 

 the maxilla ; nostrils circular ; wings long, 

 accuminated, second quill longest, and the 

 three or four first notched on their inner 

 webs ; tarsi short, muscular, reticulated ; 

 outer and inner toes unequal in length; 

 claws hooked, short, that of the hind toe 

 longest. 



Note. They are cosmopolite ; breed generally 

 on precipitous cliffs ; solitary ; strike their 

 prey on the wing ; are trained occasionally 

 for the chase. 



