ACCIPITRES. 233 
F. candicans and F. islandicus, Gm.; Buff. Enl. 210, 456, 462; 
Naum. 21, 22. (The Gerfalcon.) One fourth larger than the 
Falcon, and the most highly esteemed by falconers. Itis chiefly 
obtained from the north; its usual plumage is brown above, 
with an edging of paler points on each feather, and transverse 
lines on the coverts and quills; the tail is striped brown and 
greyish; but it so varies in the proportion of the brown and 
white, that. the body of some of them is altogether white, and 
all that remains of the brown is a spot on the middle of each 
feather of the mantle; the feet and the membrane of the beak 
are sometimes yellow, sometimes blue.(1) 
The second section of the great genus Fulco is that of the 
IGNOBLE BIRDS OF PREY. 
So called, because they cannot be easily employed in falconry; a tribe 
much more numerous than that of the Nobles, and which it is also 
necessary to subdivide considerably. The fourth quill of their 
’ wings is almost always the longest, and the first is very short, which 
produces the same effect as if their wing had been obliquely trun- 
cated at the tip, whence, cceteris paribus, result diminished powers 
of flights; their beak also is not so well armed, there being no lateral 
tooth near its point, but a mere slight emargination about the middle 
of its length. 
Aaquita, Briss. 
The Eagles, which constitute the first tribe, havea very strong beak, 
straight at base and only curved towards the point. Among them 
we find the largest species of the genus, and the most powerful of all 
the birds of prey- 
AaqulitLa, Cuv. 
Eagles, properly so called, have the tarsi feathered down to the root 
of the tees; they inhabit mountains, and pursue Birds and Quadru- 
peds their wings are as long as the tail, their flight as high as it is 
swift, and their courage superior to that of all other Birds. 
F. fulvus, F. melanaétos, F. niger, Gm.:(2) Enl. 409; Naum. 
(1) Add as aforeign species, the Cinercous Gerfalcon, (F. atricapillus,) Wils. VI, 
hi, 3, of which the Cinereous Buzzard, Fdw. 53, (F. cinereus, Gm.;) is possibly a 
young specimen. 
(2) The real species:is well represented, Enl. 409; it is Fale. fulvus. At certain 
stages of moulting, the white at the base of the feathers may be seen; it then 
forms the F. fulvus canadensis, Edw. I. As to the F. melanaéios, it is merely 
based upon some vague indications of the ancients, and the same only is quoted 
Vou. I.—2 E 
