10 BRITISH BIRDS. 



THE LANNER * 



(Falco Lanarms, Linn. Faiicon lanier, Temm.) 



THIS bird is about the size of the Greenland 

 Falcon. Bill blue; cere inclining to green; eyes 

 yellow; the feathers on the upper parts of the body 

 are brown, with pale edges ; above each eye is a 

 white line, which runs towards the hinder part 

 of the head, and beneath it a black streak pointing 

 down towards the neck; throat w r hite; breast dull 

 yellow, marked with brown spots; thighs and vent 

 the same ; quill feathers dusky, marked on the 

 inner webs with oval spots, of a rust colour; the 

 tail is spotted in the same manner; legs short and 

 strong, and of a bluish colour. 



The Lanner is not common in England; it breeds 

 in Ireland, and is found in various parts of Europe. 

 It derives its name from the mode of tearing its 

 prey into small pieces with its bill. 



* Montagu considers the Lanner lost, or else it is a Peregrine. 

 Temminck recognizes it as a distinct species, but does not mention 

 England as one of its habitats. Captain Sabine considers the Falco 

 Stellaris and Stone Falcon of authors to belong to the Lanner, being 

 the young bird, and not referable to the Peregrine, though they have 

 always been made so. 



