J. 
BIRDS OF PREY 
[358.1] Merlin. Falco cesalon. 
This common European species was once acci- 
dentally taken in southern Greenland. Their eggs 
are generally laid on the ground on cliffs or banks. 
359. Aplomado Falcon. 
Falco f usco-ccerulescens. 
Range. — Tropical America north to Mexican 
boundary of the United States. 
This handsone and strikingly marked Falcon is 
found in limited numbers within the United States, 
hut south is common and widely distributed. They 
nest at a low elevation, in bushes or small trees, 
making their rude nests of twigs, lined with a 
few grasses. They lay three, and sometimes four, 
eggs which have a creamy white ground color, 
finely dotted with cinnamon, and with heavy 
blotches of brown. Size 1.75 x 1.30. 
Buff 
[359.1.] Kestrel. Falco tinnunculus. 
Range. — Whole of Europe; accidental on the 
coast of Massachusetts. 
This species is very similar in size and colora- 
tion to the American Sparrow Hawk. They are 
much more abundant than the Sparrow Hawk is 
in this country and frequently nest about houses, 
in hollow trees, on rafters of barns, or on ledges 
and embankments. Their eggs are of a reddish 
buff color, speckled and blotched with reddish 
brown, they being much darker than those of the 
American Sparrow Hawk. 
J 
41 41 
41 4k 
4k 4k 
4k 4k 4k 
Aplomado Falcon 
Desert Sparrow Hawk 
Reddish buff 
360a. Desert Sparrow Hawk. Falco sparverius phalcena. 
Range. — Western United States from British Columbia south to Mexico. 
This variety is slightly larger and paler than the eastern form. There are no 
differences in the identification of the two varieties. 
221 
