THE PEREGRINE FALCON. 



FaLCO PKREGllIM'S. LiNN. 



The Falcon family comprehends all the Diurnal Birds 

 of Prey that are not included under the denomination 

 of Vultures, with the solitary exception of the Secre- 

 tary, which appears to constitute the type of a separate 

 division. Their principal distinguishing characters are 

 found in the extension of the common plumage over the 

 whole of the head and neck; the prominence of their 

 brows, giving to the eyes the appearance of being sunk 

 deeply in the head ; and the extreme acuteness, power- 

 ful curvature, and obvious retractdity of their strong 

 and elongated talons. They have also for the most 

 part a beak of considerable power, always hooked at 

 the point, and covered by an apparent cere at the base ; 

 roundish or oval nostrils, generally placed obliquely 

 near the base of the beak and within the limits of the 



BIRDS. I 



