FALCO. 
then, that osteologists, ignorant to a great extent of the factors above 
mentioned, have arrived at a similar conclusion ? It would be quite unwise 
to say that such were prejudiced by the classification prepared by systematists 
ignorant of osteology. 
P. R. Lowe in the Ihis, 1915, p. 715, has recorded in another group : “ It 
is interesting to note that neither Gray, Seebohm, nor Mathews had studied the 
skeletal features of this form, but that, nevertheless, by the examination of 
what are generally held to be superficial characters, they arrived at a near 
appreciation of the peculiarities of this interesting Snipe-like form.” 
I suggest that, similarly, the peculiarities superficially evident in the 
above Falconine groups are certainly accompanied by peculiar osteological 
characters, and that the facts above recorded necessitate the acceptance of the 
groups above admitted. 
It is interesting to note that six species of Falcon occur in Australia, and 
it is probable that each belongs to a different genus. One has been recognised 
ever since 1837 as a distinct genus, but the rest have been peculiarly treated. 
One is a true Falco and another is a true Cerchneis, the third a BhyncJiodon ; 
the other two are peculiar types, one of which seems like a Lanner, but the 
material is not adequate to determine exactly its relations and therefore I 
leave it in Falco. For the last I proposed the genus name Noto falco, and it is 
almost as remarkable as leracidea, the genus named by Gould in 1837 and 
ever since recognised. leracidea is remarkable for its long legs and small 
feet : the legs have a row of scutes in front, whereas all the other Falcons 
have reticulations throughout. The wing has the third primary slightly 
exceeding the second, comparatively subequal, while the first, though long, is 
shorter than the fourth. 
Notofalco is a big Falcon with a very long tail : the feet are strong, 
the legs long, and the toes short, but not as small as those of leracidea. The 
wing has the second primary longest, the third, however, longer than the first, 
which exceeds the fourth. ' 
These two forms, leracidea and Notofalco, are not easily derived from 
any Northern group, so that both must belong to the earliest Northern 
migration. The former is the commonest Australian Falconiform and has 
many peculiar features ; the latter is almost the rarest Falconiform, and its 
dark coloration is its most outstanding character, but probably its osteology 
will prove as remarkable as that of leracidea. The Lanner-like Falcon might 
produce a surprise by showing it to be not closely related to the Lanners 
and a third Australian puzzle ; moreover, it probably also is referable to the 
earliest Northern migration. 
VOL. V. 
225 
