Order I. RAPTORES. 



Fam. 1. FALCONIDiE. 



Subfam. 1. Falconing. 



Falco, Linn. 



Peregrinus, Linn. 



Type of Raptores, Falconidse, Falconinse. 



Cranium of moderate size ; the bones composing it strong, depressed, and flattened 

 from the base of the nasal bones to the vertex, and with a slight longitudinal channel ; 

 occipital ridge well denned ; occipital protuberance very large ; a transverse, somewhat 

 arcuated depression extending across the base of the nasal bones. Lacrymals largely 

 developed, long, bounding nearly the whole of the upper edge of the orbits. Orbital 

 septa nearly perfect in old specimens. Foramen magnum large, nearly circular, and 

 placed almost horizontally; nasal orifices round, with their margin entire. Upper 

 maxillaries hooked at the point, and with a distinct notch, covering only a small portion 

 of the roof of the mouth. Palatine bones extending far backwards, anteriorly for 

 two-thirds of their length consisting of a long, horizontally flattened strip of bone, 

 articulated together for their posterior third; a large, strongly deflected flap in the 

 centre arising near their middle in length, laterally much expanded, and rounded on 

 their posterior lateral termination. Interarticular bones flattened, and slightly twisted 

 on their axis. Atlar tubercle small, slightly transversely oval ; condyloid processes of 

 the occipital bone very slightly developed. 



Sternum very convex, broadest posteriorly; ridges to which the small pectoral 

 muscles are attached strongly marked ; posterior margin perforated with two foramina. 

 Manubrial process well developed, turned upwards perpendicularly, flattened at the tip. 

 Keel extending to the posterior edge of the sternum ; its inferior edge slightly rounded ; 

 point prominent, produced as far as the manubrial process ; anterior edge only slightly 

 curved inwards. 



Pelvis very strong ; the outline of the sacral vertebra? not traceable on its upper surface 

 except by some small foramina placed irregularly ; a very slight cavity on its dorsal 

 aspect between the two sides of the ilium ; more than double the width of its anterior 

 diameter posteriorly. Ilium extending far over the ischium and os pubis laterally; 

 the posterior points of the ischium diverging. Os pubis not extending forwards beyond 

 the centre of the cotyloid cavity. Ischiadic foramen very large ; obturator small. 

 Mbs narrow, thick ; styliform process long, the point directed very much upwards. 



VOL. I. B 



