106 FALCONHhE. 



and dull white ; the outer feathers on each side greyish 

 white, with four darker transverse bars ; the legs and toes 

 yellow ; the claws black. 



In reference to our Harriers, a notice appears in the Na- 

 turalist for September, page 314, that some difference had 

 been observed in the relative length of the quill-feathers : 

 in a female the fourth quill-feather being the longest ; 

 in a male, the third. This notice is here adverted 

 to in order that the relative length of the different quill- 

 feathers in the wings, when referred to in description, or 

 as affording indications of distinction in species, may not 

 be too much relied upon without having due regard to the 

 period of the year at which the birds were killed. In this 

 country particularly, a large proportion of our cabinet 

 specimens are obtained during autumn, the gun being then 

 in general use, and during which period the quill- feathers 

 will frequently be found not to have attained their ultimate 

 relative proportions. 



The vignette represents the head of the Ringtail, as 

 referred to at page 102. 



