38 RAPACES. FALCO. F atcons. 
Falco communis, Gmel. 1. p. 270.—Lath. Ind. Ornith. 1. 30. t. 67,—Briss. 
1. p. 321. 
Plea) Hornotinus, Briss. 1. p. 324. A.—Gmel. Syst. 1. p. 270. 
Faucon Sors, Buff: Ois. 1. t. 15.—Zd. Pl. Enl. 470. 
Yearling Falcon, Lath. Syn. 1. p. 65. 
Falco gibbosus, Briss. 1. p. 324. B.—Gmel. Syst. 1. 270. 
Le Faucon Haggard, Buff. Ois. 1. 254. 
Haggard Falcon, Will. Ang. p. 88.—Lath. Syn. 1. p. 66. 
Black Falcon, Lath. Syn. 1. p. 67. Edw. t. 4. 
Red Falcon, Lath. Syn. 1. p. 69. 
(Red Indian Falcon, Wiil. Ang. p. 81. t. 9.—Lath. Syn. 1. p. 69. 
Syn. of 
Young. 
The uncertainty in which the history of this species was 
long involved, appears to have arisen from the error of earlier 
Identity of writers, in considering the Falco Peregrinus and Falco com- 
se Sees munis, with its enumerated varieties, as two distinct species. 
communis.  Teficiency of observation, and consequent want of an ac- 
curate knowledge of the various changes of plumage the bird 
undergoes in its progress to maturity, naturally led to this 
effect ; and we accordingly find, that the bird hitherto de- 
scribed as the Falco Communis, the type of the supposed 
species, and its varieties, must have been originally figured 
from an immature specimen of the Falco Peregrinus, the 
species now under consideration. 
By tracing the gradual advances, and noting the gradations 
of colour of this bird, from a nestling to maturity, the seve- 
ral varieties of the supposed /’. communis may also be con- 
nected, and the individuals brought back to the same line of 
descent, from the different synonymes under which they have 
been hitherto known. 
Thus, the Falco Hornotinus, or Yearling Falcon, appears 
to be the young bird in its nestling or early plumage. | The 
Falco fuscus I should consider as a bird of the same age, 
but a female. 
Varieties. | Passing over the white-headed (F. leucocephalus) and 
white Falcon (F. albus), to be regarded only as accidental 
varieties, (though it might admit of a doubt, whether they 
are not links in the gradation of the change of plumage, 
which, let it be remembered, is regulated by certain and fix- 
ed laws), we come, in the next place, to the Falco communis 
