SAKER FALCON. 35 



the wings when folded, from an inch and a quarter to 

 an inch and a half. 



In the first year, though the colours are distributed 

 in general similarity to those of the young Gyr-Falcon, 

 it differs from it in the following details: — The ground 

 colour of the upper parts is not so deep in the Saker, 

 particularly on the tail, and it approaches more strongly 

 to brown. There are only some isolated bright spots 

 to be seen on the scapularies, which spots, as well as 

 the borders of the feathers, are of a pale reddish brown, 

 clearer upon the edges of the quill feathers. There is 

 more white upon the nape, and upon the upper part 

 of the head, where may also be seen some traces of a 

 very pale reddish brown. The tail is widely bordered 

 with white at the extremity; generally only clear markings 

 are to be seen on the internal barbs of the lateral tail 

 quills, and these markings, to the number of ten or 

 eleven, are of an oval form, approaching more or less 

 to orbicular. The spots of the under parts, generally of 

 a very deep brown, are usually a little narrower in the 

 young of the Gyr-Falcon, and they are not often seen 

 upon the under part of the tail, except in the shape of 

 thin dark streaks occupying the shafts of the feathers. 

 The auditory region is always marked with white in 

 the middle, and this prevails on the front of the fore- 

 head. The quill feathers have clear spots upon their 

 inner barbs. The feet, the cere, and eyelids, are of a 

 livid greenish blue, approaching to yellow in the plates 

 of the toes. 



The colours of the Saker undergo in moulting the 

 following changes: — The ground colour of the upper 

 parts is paler, distinctly so on the tail; the edges of 

 the feathers are, on the contrary, of a more lively red 

 on the back and wings, but paler on the quills of the 



