On the Groups of the Falconidce. 329 



characters in common with both stirpes^ it is difficult to say to 

 which we should refer it. But I prefer placing it in its present 

 situaition on account of the length of the second quill feather, a 

 peculiarity which distinguishes the true Falcons, and gives a strik- 

 ing character to their flight. Placed however at the extremity of 

 the division, it preserves its affinity with those that went before. 



The greater portion of the present stirps is included under the 

 genus 



Falco, Auct. 

 which comprises the typical species of the family. The upper man- 

 dible of this group is armed with a strong angular toothy the 

 lower is notched near the extremity. The nares are rounded. 

 The wings are for the most part as long as the tail, the second 

 quill feathers being invariably the longest. The first and second 

 quill feathers are also distinguished by an abrupt emargination on 

 the inner web, near the extremity. In some species, as in F. pere- 

 grinus, the emargination of the second quill feather is not so 

 abrupt as in others. But in all the species of the true Falcons 

 that have comeunder my examination, this emargination of the first 

 quill feather at least is strongly apparent. The tarsi are moderate 

 in length and strength, and have the acrotarsia reticulated. Our 

 European species, F. peregrinus, Linn. F. subbuteo, Linn. jP. 

 cesalon, Linn. F. riifipes, Bechst. are readily distinguished as be- 

 longing to this typical genus. Some species belonging to the 

 group have the wings somewhat shorter than the tall, which in con- 

 junction with lerax thus evince a gradual series of affinity be- 

 tween the short and long winged tribes. Among these we may 

 distinguish jP. tinnunculus, Linn. JP. rupicolus^ Daud. * with 

 some corresponding species. 



M. Cuvier has separated the F. Islandicus, Lath., from the rest 

 of the true Falcons, under the generick title of IJiero/alco, which 



* There seem to be no limits affixed to the geographical distribution of the 

 true Falcons. This indeed appears generally the case in the larger groups of 

 this family. The naked cheeked Falconidce alone seem to be confined to the 

 southern parts of the New World, and to^d ustralasia,i? we are to refer F.Novte 

 Zeclandiee of Dr. Latham to the genus Polyborus according to M. Temminck's 

 opinion. But the remaining groups aj)pcar to be dispersed in every division 

 of the jrkibe. 



