142 NO'l^U AMERICAN BIRD'S. 



is boldly blotched with markings of a bright chestuut-brown, varying greatly 

 in its shadiutjs. 



•o" 



Subgenus 2iSALON, Kaup. 



Alsahm, Katt, 1829. (Type, Faico <rm/nii, Omelin, = F. lithnfalco, G.M.) 

 Jli/polriorcliin, AutT. ncc lioiE, 182(i, the type of wliich is Falco suhhuico, Linn. 

 Demltofako, GltAY, 1840. (Type, F. (milon, Gmel.) 



This subgenus contains, apparently, but the single species F. lithofako, 

 which is ibund nearly throughout the Northern Hemisphere, and in ditlerent 

 climatic regions is modified "Mto geographical races. Of tlie.se, Xorth Amer- 

 ica possesses three, and Europe one ; they may be distinguished as fol- 

 lows : — 



Species and Races. 



P. lithofalco. Second and third quills longest ; first usually .shorter than, 

 occasionally ciinal to, or rarely longer than, the fourth. Adult female, and young 

 of both sej-cs. Above brownish, va"ying from pale earth-brown, or innber, to 

 nearly black, jilain, or with obscure transverse spotting of lighter; tail with five 

 to eight lighter bands, which, however, are sometimes obsolete, except the ter- 

 minal one. Beneath ochiacoous-wliite, longitudinally striped with brown or 

 du.<ky over the whole surface. Aditlt nude (except in var. surldei/i and ricltard- 

 sonif). Above plumbeons-bhic, with darker shaft-streaks; tail with more or 

 le.ss distinct bands of black, and palci tip. Beneath much as in the female and 

 young, but stripes usually narrower and more reddish. Wing, 7.20 - 9.00 ; tail, 

 4.90 -G.oO; culnien, .45 -.00; tar.sn.s, 1.30-1. GO; middle toe, 1.15-1.51. 



a. Adult male plumbeous-blue above; sexes very unlike in adult dress. 

 Female and young without transver.so .spotting on ujiper parts. 



Adult mrde. Tad deep phnnbeou,s, tipped with ash, with six transverse 

 series of dusky spots (which do not to .ch the shaft nor edge of the 

 leathers) anterior to the snbterniinal zone, the black of which extends 

 forward along the edge of the feather. Inner web of the longc>st 

 primary with ten transverse spot.s of white. Streaks on the cheeks 

 enlarged and blended, forming a conspicuous " mustache." Pectoral 

 maikings linear black. The ochraceous wash deepest across the nape 

 and breast, and along the sides, and very pale on the tibia3. Adult 

 female. Above brownisli-plumlieous, the feathers b(M'oming paler 

 toward their margiu.s, and with conspicuous black shaft-streak.s. Tail 

 with eight (three concealed) narrow bands of pale fulvons-a.shy ; longest 

 primary with ten light spot.* on inner web. Outer webs of primaries 

 with a few spots of ochraceous. Youiif/. Similar to the 9 ndull, but 

 with a more rusty cast to the phnnage, and Avith more or less distinct 

 transverse spots of paler on the upper parts. Wing, 7.00-9.00; tail, 

 5.10-O.;50; culmen, .45-.55; tarsus, 1.35-1.47 ; middle toe, 1.15-1.35. 

 /fab. Europe var. lithofalco.^ 



1 F(dco {.'h'salun) lithofalco, var. lillwfalm (CJ.MEt.lN). Accipilei- lilliofiilcu, Hitlss. Orn. I, 1760, 

 340. Film lithnfakn, (Jmei,. S.N. 1780,278. .F.sii/i,ii lillnfuho, K\iv. Ueb. Falk. Mus. 

 Senek. 258. Fdco irijulits, Omei.. S. N. 1798, 28"). Accipi/rr ivs'ihn, Bliiss. Orn. I, 1760, 382. 

 Falco wsulun, G.mei.in, S. N. 1789, 284. — Yauuei.i., Hist, lirit. B., ed. 1871, 74. Ifi/po- 

 IriorchU msalon, Giiav, Gen. 1844, Sp. 10. Fako inlcrmi.iiu.i, Daik. Tr. Oiii. II, 1800, 141. 



