156 LAUGHING FALCON. 



tion, and which he supposed might be the species 

 intended by Linnaeus, was about the size of a Hen- 

 Harrier, and in colours not unlike that above- 

 described. Mr. Latham very properly adds, that 

 if by the expression of oculorum operculis osseis 

 Linnaeus meant the opake or white part of the eyes y 

 the bony structure is by no means peculiar to the 

 present species, but takes place in many others. 



LAUGHING FALCON. 



Falco cachinnans. F. cera pedihusque lutcis, palpebris albis, 

 corpore fusco albidoque vario, annuh nigro verticem album 

 cingente. Ian. fyst. Nat. 



Falcon with yellow cere and legs, white eyelids, body va- 

 riegated with brown and whitish ; the top of the head black 

 surrounded by a white ring. 



Native of South America : observed by Rolander : 

 upper part of the body, wings, and tail-coverts 

 brown: throat, breast, abdomen, and wings be- 

 neath, white : tail banded with black and luteous. 

 When disturbed utters a laughing sound. This 

 however is observed by Monsieur Sonnini to be no 

 very distinctive character, since many of the Falcon 

 tribe occasionally utter "a shrill and quickly re- 

 peated cry, which by a little aggravation, might 

 be termed a laugh. 



