FALCO LIMN^ETUS. 



is acute and lengthened. The cutthig edges of the upper mandible are deeply emar- 

 ginate : the lower mandible is entire, and the point obliquely truncated. The cere 

 is rather narrow. The nostrils are large, oval, and transversely disposed. The 

 wings are shorter than the tail. The quill feathers, from the first to the sixth, are 

 notched internally, and from the second to the seventh externally ; the first is short ; 

 the second and third increase successively ; the fourth and fifth are nearly equal, and 

 longer than the others ; from the fifth they gradually decrease in length. The legs 

 are somewhat elevated, and the tarsi are closely covered with plumes to the extre- 

 mity. The anterior claws are small, and nearly of equal size on all the toes ; the 

 claw of the hind toe is shghtly enlarged. 



The general colour of the Falco Limnseetus is dark brown : this covers every 

 part except the base of the tail underneath, the eyes, the bill, and the feet and claws. 

 It is deeper on the summit of the head, and on the extremity of the quiU and tail 

 feathers. In a certain position towards the light, the colour has a fulvous lustre. 

 The tail consists of twelve feathers, which underneath are white at the base, and 

 throughout nearly two-thirds of their length. The irides are yellow. The eye is sur- 

 rounded by a space of a brown colour, on which the plumes are scattered very 

 sparingly. The cere is blueish. 



The Falco Limnseetus is described by M. Temminck, in the 23d Livraison of 

 the new Series of coloured Plates of Birds, with the appropriate denomination of 

 Autour Utiicolore, and Mr. T. has preserved, for the systematic name, that which 

 was given to our bird in the Catalogue of Javanese Birds, contained in the Xlllth 

 Volume of the Transactions of the Linnean Society. It was not tiU after the drawmg 

 which illustrates this article had been completed, that I had an opportunity of con- 

 sulting M. Temminck's description. This distinguished Ornithologist, whose remarks 

 are always in the highest degree instructive, has entered into some discvission regard- 

 ing the identity of the Falco Limnasetus and the Falco niveus, a new species like- 

 wise from Java ; and he has suspended his final decision until he should receive 

 further information by remarks made on the spot. The facts which fell under my 

 own notice, support the opinion that they are really distinct. Although the Falco 

 niveus is not contained in the Catalogue above mentioned, I had an opportunity of 

 observing its manners, and attending to the changes of its plumage, during many 

 months that I had an individual in confinement. A careful drawing was also pre- 

 pared ; but as, by an accidental oversight, no specimen was prepared, the bird was 

 not included in the Catalogue, which embraces those subjects only which are arranged 

 in the Museum at the India House. The history of this bird I propose to give in 



