LINNEAN GENUS FALCO. 



587 



Brisson enumerates not fewer than twelve va- 

 rieties of the Common Falcon, without including 

 the Falcon Gentle, or a doubtful species called the 

 Lanner, and in. this list, he is followed by La- 

 T.HAM, with the exception of the Sucre which 

 the latter author is of opinion should constitute 

 a distinct species. 



I shall now take a short review of the different 

 opinions entertained by ornithologists regarding 

 particular species of the genus Falco ; adding such 

 observations as have occurred to me from an in- 

 spection of several interesting series of varieties. 



In the opinion of Buffon, the Gentle Falcon is 

 the Common Falcon in full plumage. 



That it is the Common Falcon, there cannot f. gentms. 

 be any doubt ; but it is equally certain, that it is 

 that bird in a state of immaturity, the Common 

 Falcon, as will be afterwards seen, being trans- 

 versely barred in the adult state. 



Brisson, Linnaeus, Pennant, Sonnini, and 

 Daudin, describe the Gentle Falcon as a distinct 

 species. I trust what has been already said con- 

 cerning the original application of the term Gentle, 

 is sufficient to shew the inaccuracy of that opinion. 



* CuviER is of opinion, that the Sacre is synonimous with 



