294 CASSELL'S LOOK OF BIRDS. 



claims upon our notice are very equal We, however, regard the Vultures as the more highly gifted 

 birds, and have, therefore, given them the second place upon our list. 



The FALCONS (Fakonida) are distinguished by their powerful, slender, and compact bodies, 

 heads of medium size, and short necks. Their wings are large, usually pointed, but occasionally 

 rounded at the extremity ; the tail and feet are very various, both as regards formation and strength ; 

 the beak is short, and covered at its base with a cere, which is never concealed from view by feathers ; 

 the upper mandible is always hooked, and sometimes furnished with tooth-like projections. In some 

 species the plumage covers not merely the entire body, but extends over the legs and feet, even to the 

 toes ; the feathers are sometimes short and coarse, and sometimes soft and silky in texture, but 

 always very abundant. The eyes are bright and of moderate size, the crop is protuberant, but 

 never globose. All the Falcons obtain their food by rapine, and may be regarded as the most 

 daring and courageous of the feathered tribes. 



The NOBLE FALCONS {Fakones) are in every respect the most perfectly organised members 

 of the group to which they belong ; both as regards their strength and skill, and the perfection in which 

 they display the characteristics peculiar to their race, they stand supreme. In these noble birds, as 

 they are justly called, the body is very compact, the head moderate, the neck short, the wings long 

 and pointed, the second and occasionally the third quill being longer than the rest. The beak is 

 short but powerful, very decidedly arched at its base, hooked at the extremity, and furnished near its 

 apex with a more or less highly developed tooth ; the lower mandible is sharp at its edge, and has a 

 hollow in which the tooth of the upper mandible can lodge. The talons of these Falcons are pro- 

 portionately larger and more formidable than those of any other Bird of Prey ; the leg is strong and 

 muscular, and the tarsus short, the middle toe almost equalling it in length. The plumage is thick 

 and harsh, the quills and tail-feathers of great strength. The region of the eye is bare, so as not to 

 interfere with the scope of vision, presenting a naked ring, which is a distinguishing characteristic of 

 the Noble Falcons. The plumage is usually of a light blueish grey above, whilst whitish grey, 

 reddish yellow, or white predominate on the lower parts of the body ; the cheeks are often 

 curiously marked by a black streak, which has been called a beard. The males resemble the females 

 in the coloration of their feathers, but are somewhat smaller. The young do not acquire the plumage 

 of their parents until they are two or three years old. 



Many of these birds migrate during the winter months, and spend a great portion of their time in 

 flying over the face of the country, sweeping along with astonishing strength and rapidity, and rushing 

 down upon their prey with a velocity that renders it impossible for the eye to follow their movements. 

 Considerable variety is observable in the manner in which the flight of the different races of Falcons is 

 accomplished, some moving slowly and with a hovering motion through the realms of air, others 

 sustaining themselves for a considerable time in one spot by means of a gentle and tremulous agitation 

 of the wings. The Noble Falcons, on the contrary, fly with quick short strokes, and an occasional 

 gliding movement, sometimes soaring to an incredible height, and performing most varied and 

 beautiful evolutions, more especially when they are endeavouring to attract the admiration of their 

 mates ; at other times they do not usually rise to more than 400 feet above the earth. When perching, 

 the body, owing to the shortness of the feet, is of necessity held erect, but is kept in a horizontal 

 position when walking on the ground, an act which they accomplish in the most awkward manner, 

 endeavouring to render their progress more easy by a constant balancing of the wings. Early morning 

 and evening are preferred by these Falcons for the pursuit of their prey, which they almost always 

 capture whilst in flight, the booty being carried off to some retired spot, where they can devour it 



