FAMILY FALCONIDJE ; FALCONS. 



399 



the true Falcons, which are the most bold and daring, in propor- 

 tion to their size, of all the Birds of Prey. They are peculiarly 

 symmetrical in their forms; and their flight is graceful as well as 

 vigorous. Their wings are exceedingly firm in their texture, so 

 as to oppose the most complete re- 

 sistance to the air ; the keel of their 

 sternum is extremely prominent, 

 indicating the large size of the pec- 

 toral muscles ; and the furcula, as 

 well as the coracoid bones, by which 

 the shoulders are rendered firm, are 

 very strong. None of the bones are 

 very long ; and those of the legs, 

 which are not much used for walking, 

 are rather short : but they are firm 

 and well-proportioned ; and the pro- 

 cesses towards their extremities, 

 whether for giving firmness to the 

 joints, insertion to the muscles, or 

 lever-power to the tendons, are very 

 conspicuous. The bones of the trunk 

 are very firmly knit together ; whilst 

 those of the neck and limbs are so 

 united, as to give to these parts great 

 flexibility, in combination with 

 strength. The sight of the Falcons 

 is very acute ; enabling them to dis- 



FIG. 208. SKELETON OF JER FALCON, cern their prey at great distances, 

 and to pounce down upon it with 



unerring certainty. The wings are pointed, the primary 

 feathers extending far beyond the secondaries ; the two first 

 quills are the longest (the second feather extending somewhat 

 further than the first), and the others are gradually shortened. 

 These pointed wings are not so good for straightforward flight in 

 perfectly still air, as wings which are broader ; and therefore, 

 when there is no wind, and the Falcon is desiring to move 

 steadily onwards, its flight is rather in ascending and descending 



