Fauvette. 



FALCO (Linnaeus.) — * A genus thus characterised. Head covered 

 with feathers, bill strong, short, generally bending from its base, which 

 is covered with a naked and coloured cere. Nostrils round or oval, 

 lateral, and placed in the cere. Tongue in most species fleshy and 

 divided by a slit. Upper orbit of the eye projecting. Legs feathered 

 to the toes, or naked. Toes three forwards and one behind, the middle 

 toe connected with the outer one, as far as the first joint. Claws short 

 and very hooked, strong and retractile. Female superior in size to 

 the male.* 



FALCONIDiE (Leach.) — *A group of birds of prey (Eaptores, 

 Illiger) which has been excellently subdivided by Mr. Vigors into 

 five other groups, namely, eagles, (Aquilina?) hawks, (Accipitrina^) 

 falcons, (Falconina,) buzzards, {JButeonina^) and kites, (Milvina.)* 1 



1 Zool. Journ. i. 336—340. 



