SAKER FALCON. 30 
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 
im general similarly 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 
