8 falconiDjE. 



feathers, which distinguish the young, give place to the cine- 

 reous grey feathers peculiar to the adult. 



The feathers of the young birds of this family are generally 

 more varied with spots and streaks than in the adult, whose 

 plumage is coloured in larger masses ; and it is invariable that 

 in species in which the feathers of the adult are marked with 

 transverse bars, as in the case of the Peregrine Falcon, Gos- 

 hawk, Honey Buzzard, etc. those parts in the young are 

 marked with longitudinal streaks and rays. In many species 

 among the Falcons, the young of the year resemble each 

 other so much in plumage that it is difficult to distinguish 

 the species to which they belong, except by an accurate ob- 

 servation of their comparative dimensions, and of the colours 

 of the beak, feet, and cere. 



