106 FALCONID&. 
and dull white; the outer feathers on each side greyish 
white, with four darker transverse bars; the legs and toes 
yellow ; the claws black. 
In reference to our Harriers, a notice appears in the Na- 
turalist for September, page 314, that some difference had 
been observed in the relative length of the quill-feathers : 
in a female the fourth quill-feather being the longest ; 
in a male, the third. This notice is here adverted 
to in order that the relative length of the different quill- 
feathers in the wings, when referred to in description, or 
as affording indications of distinction in species, may not 
be too much relied upon without having due regard to the 
period of the year at which the birds were killed. In this 
country particularly, a large proportion of our cabinet 
specimens are obtained during autumn, the gun being then 
in general use, and during which period the quill-feathers 
will frequently be found not to have attained their ultimate 
relative proportions. 
The vignette represents the head of the Ringtail, as 
referred to at page 102. 
