PLATE XLI. 



FALCO MELANOGENYS (Gould). 



BLA CK- CHEEKED FA L CON 



nnHE Black-cheeked Falcon is distributed over the greater part of Australia and Tasmania, wherever 

 J- the rocky creeks and gullies, which it frequents, are to be found. 



Its food consists for the most part of other birds, which it captures after the manner of the 

 Falcons of the Old World, very often carrying ff a bird more than twice its own weight. 



During the spring months it lays two eggs in a nest built among well-nigh inaccessible rocks 

 The colour of the eggs is buff, largely blotched with reddish-brown. In length they are two inches and 

 one line, and in breadth one inch and seven and a-half lines. 



The female is much larger than the male, but does not differ materially in plumage. 



The crown of the head is dull brown ; cheeks and forehead, black ; upper surface and wings, 

 brownish-black, margined with brownish-grey; centre wing feathers barred alternately with bluish-grey and 

 black, the two next to the centre barred with white and buff ; throat and under surface, buffy-white ; 

 the abdomen barred with brown ; irides, blackish-brown ; bill, brown at the base, black at the tip ; legs 

 and feet, orange. 



Habitats : Australia and Tasmania. 



FALCO SUBNIGER (G . R Gray). 

 BLACK FALCON. 



rpHIS little-known bird is an inhabitant of the mountainous districts of the interior of Australia. It 

 is also found in New Zealand. 



It feeds on other birds, in capturing which it displays great skill and strength. 



Save the usual difference in size, the sexes are alike in outward appearance. 



The whole of the plumage is black, becoming lighter on the edges of the feathers; chin, white; 

 irides, blackish-brown ; bill, lead-colour ; legs and feet, yellowish-white. 



Habitat : Interior of Australia. 



