GREY FALCON. 113 



altogether wanting on the under tail-covers. The 

 quills, externally, are entirely black ; but, upon look- 

 ing to their under surface, it will be seen that this 

 inner web has numerous white bars for about two- 

 thirds their length from the base : of these there are 

 about fourteen on the first quill, those nearest the 

 tip being very distinctly marked, but the rest be- 

 coming gradually less defined towards the base. 

 The tail exceeds the length of the wings by about 

 two inches and a half; its form is much rounded, 

 the outer feather being more than an inch shorter 

 than the middle ones ; its upper surface, when not 

 expanded, is of the same uniform grey as the back, 

 with some obscure whitish bands on the outer webs 

 of the lateral feathers : but when the tail is spread, 

 the four lateral feathers on each side are seen to be 

 tliickly banded with white, precisely like the quills 

 of the wings, the middle feathers being almost free 

 from these markings; the shafts of all are of a deep 

 and glossy black, thus preserving a uniformity with 

 the rest of the plumage : the bands on the tail- 

 feathers are so crowded, that sixteen may be counted 

 on the outermost feather. Orbits, cere, an4 feet, 

 bright-yellow ; claws, black ; bill, blueish. The 

 general form of this bird is somewhat thicker than 

 that of the last; the bill is larger and the wings 

 shorter, since they reach only to about half the 

 length of the tail. The black whiskers, so universal 

 in this division, are short, although very distinct. 

 The whole structure of the bird, however, is that of 

 a tvpical Falcon. 



