K)6 CUCKOO FALCON. 



of a CyndndiS) except in the bill, which is of the 

 true falconine structure, and at once shews us under 

 which of the primary divisions of the family this 

 remarkable bird should be placed. 



We may now describe the colours. The general 

 tint of the upper plumage, including the wings and 

 tail, is of a very dark cinereous, almost approaching 

 on the wings to blackish ; the middle of the back, 

 however, and the scapulars, are dark-brown ; the ash 

 colour being more clear on the head and tail. The 

 under plumage from the throat to the breast is of a 

 light ash, which there changes to a cream-coloured 

 white, banded with broad bars of blackish-brown, of 

 which there are two on each feather. These bands 

 disappear on the thighs, belly, and under tail-covers, 

 which are deep buff or ferruginous, and without any 

 markings. The inner shafts of the quills are cinere- 

 ous-white, those of the primaries only having from 

 five to six remote black bars, most conspicuous on 

 their upper surface ; the inner wing-covers are fer- 

 ruginous, without any markings. The tail has a very 

 broad band of black at its tip, and a few irregular 

 half bars at the base of the outermost feather; cere 

 and feet yellow. Total length about 16 inches ; bill, 

 from the gape, 1^; wings, 13; tail beyond, 2^; 

 from the base, 8 ; tarsus, 1^. 



