40 RAPTORES. FALCO. FALCON. 



from an immature specimen of the Falco Peregrinus, the 

 species now under consideration. 



By tracing the gradual advances, and noting the gradations 

 of colour of this bird from a nestling to maturity, the seve- 

 ral varieties of the supposed F. communis may also be con- 

 nected, and the individuals brought back to the same line of 

 descent, from the different synonyms under which they have 

 been hitherto known. 



Thus, the Falco Hornotinus, or Yearling Falcon, appears 

 to be the young bird in its nestling or early plumage. The 

 Falco Juscus I should consider as a bird of the same age, 

 but a female. 



Passing over the White-headed (F. leucocephalus and 

 White Falcon (F. alb us), to be regarded only as accidental 

 varieties, (though it might admit of a doubt, whether they 

 are not links in the gradation of the change of plumage, 

 which, let it be remembered, is regulated by certain and fix- 

 ed laws), we come, in the next place, to the Falco communis 

 of authors. At this period of its life, it has undergone a 

 moult ; and though a marked difference still exists between 

 it and the old Peregrine Falcon, the advance towards matu- 

 rity is sufficiently perceptible. The intermediate links in the 

 chain upwards are supplied by the F. gibbosns^ the F. ruber 

 indicus, and the F. mdculfUus, which last shews the transi- 

 tion to the adult F. Peregrinus *. 



Jn England and Wales the Peregrine Falcon is rare, and 

 is only found indigenous in rocky or mountainous districts. 

 The Highlands and Northern Isles of Scotland appear to be 

 the situations most favourable to it, and in that part of the 

 kingdom it is numerous and widely diffused f . The most 



* My own observations on this species have been confirmed and greatly 

 assisted by an excellent paper, written by JAMES WILSON, Esq. entitled, 

 *' Observations on some species of the genus Falco" and published in the 

 2d volume of the Transactions of the Wernerian Society. 



f In Dumfriesshire it breeds numerously in the precipices of the Mof- 

 fat range of hills. See Sir WILLIAM JARDINE'S Note on the Great-footed 

 Hawk, in his edition of WILSON'S Americ. Ornith. vol. iii. p. 251. 



