FALCONS. 255 



3. F. PEREGRINUS, L. Pelegrims Falk. The Peregrine 



Falcon. D. F. 



Length, about 16 in. ; tail level with the tips of the 

 closed wings, which will always distinguish it at a 

 glance from either of the last, in which the tail is 

 always nearly 2 in. longer than the closed wings. The 

 old bird, dark ash grey above, with black transverse 

 bars; under parts, reddish white, with dark wavy 

 lines. Tail with nine to twelve transverse bars, abroad 

 black streak under the eyes, and behind that a white 

 one. Head dull blue. Eyes brown. Cere and legs 

 yellow. The young bird is dark brown above, under 

 parts yellowish or brownish white, with brown longi- 

 tudinal spots. Tail with fewer transverse bars. 

 In the mature plumage the sexes are much alike. 

 Is not rare, but certainly very sparingly distributed over 

 our midland forests. It is much more common on the 

 Lap fells, right up to the North Cape. Nest placed 

 either on the ledge of a rock or a high tree. Eggs three, 

 blotched red, much resembling those of the Iceland falcon, 

 but smaller. I always find this a most difficult egg to 

 obtain. 



Leaves Scandinavia in the winter, and does not, I believe, 

 breed in Denmark. 



F. Lanarius, L. A young specimen, which is said to 

 have been killed in this country, is preserved in the Stock- 

 holm museum, but Nilsson does not include it in the Scan- 

 dinavian fauna, where, in my opinion, it has certainly no 

 right to a place. There is no doubt, however, that at 

 least one young example has been killed in Denmark. Is 

 included in Wright's " Birds of Finland," but he gives 

 no particulars as to locality, date of capture, etc. 



4. F. SUBBUTEO, L. Lark Falk. The Hobby. D. F. 



Tail shorter than the wings ; first wing feather longer 

 than the fourth. Length of old male about 1 foot. Wing 

 breadth, 31 in. ; female a little larger. Cere, legs, and 

 feet, yellow ; tail with 10 to 12 bands on the under side ; a 



