BIRDS OF JAMAICA. 
13 
FALCONIDiE (Falcons) 
Although more numerous than the Owls the Diurnal Birds of Prey are by no 
means abundant in Jamaica. Of some 400 species of Falconidse now recognized 
only five have been met with in the island. Four of these are North American ' 
Birds, twm of which are permanently resident and breeders. The fifth is a 
straggler from the mainland. 
90. Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon. 
Falco anatum, Gosse, B.J. p. 16. 
Falco peregrinus, Newt. List, p. 110. 
Falco peregrinus anatum Scott, Auk, ix. p. 127. 
Falco communis, Sharpe, Cat. B. i. p. 376. 
Hah. Widely distributed in America, a pair being found occasionally on 
the coast of Jamaica. 
91. Falco columbarius. American Merlin. 
Falco columbarius, Gosse, B.J. p. 17: Newt. p. 110: Scott, Auk, ix. p. 127: 
Sharpe, Cat. B. i. p. 408. 
Hypotriorchis columbarius, Scl. P, Z. S. 1861, March, Pr, Ac, Phi. 1863, 
p. 132, 
Hob. North America: resident in Jamaica 
92. Buteo borealis. Red-tailed Buzzard. 
Buteo borealis, Gosse, p. 19, id. III. pi. 2: Newt, p. 110: Scott. Auk. ix. p 
127: Sharpe, Cat. B. i. p. 188. 
Hob. A North American species, found all over Jamaica, 
93. Urubitinga anthracina. 
Morphnus urubitinga, Gosse, p. 19. 
Urubitinga anthracina, Scott, no. 114: Sharpe, Cat. i. p. 216. 
Hab. Central and South America: Said to have been observed by Mr. Hill 
(Gosse.) 
94. Elaxoides furcates. Swallow-tailed Kite. 
Nauclerus furcatus . Gosse p. 19: Newt. List, p. 110: March, Pr. Ac. Sc. 
^ Phil. 1863, p. 158. 
FAanoides furcatus, Scott, Auk. ix. p. 126: Sharpe, Cat. B. i. p. 317. 
Hab. A North American species of occasional occurrence in Jamaica. 
Fam. CATHARTID2E Turkey-Buzzarcls. 
The “American Vultures,” as they are commonly called, are so different in 
material points of structure from the Vultures of the Old World, that they ought 
not to be called by the same vernacular name. About six (distinct) species of 
this group are known, of which two occur in Jamaica. The red-headed Turkey- 
Buzzard is a well-known scavenger, and one of the most abundant birds in the 
Island. 
95. Cathartes aura. Red-headed Turkey-Buzzard. 
Cathartes aura, Gosse, p. 1: March, Pr. Ac. Phil. 1863, p. 151: Newt. p. 112: 
Scott, Auk, ix. p. 126: 
(Enops aura, Sharpe, Cat. B. i. p. 25. 
Hab. North and South America; abundant and breeding in Jamaica. 
96. Cathartes atratus. Black-headed Turkey-Buzzard 
Cathartes atratus March, Pr. Ac. Sc. Phil. 1863, p. 151: Newt. List, p. 112: 
Catharista atrata, Scott, Auk, ix p. 126. 
Catharistes atratus, Sharpe, Cat. B. i. p. 24 
Hab. North and South America, occasionally met with in Jamaica. 
9i 
Fam. ARDEIDyE (Herons). 
The Herons, as regards species, are well represented in the Jamaican Avifauna, 
though they are not in most cases, individually very plentiful. The twelve species 
of the Island are all enumerated in the American ‘Check-list,’ but most of them 
are casual stragglers in Jamaica. 
Ardea herodias. Great Blue Heron. 
Ardea herodias, Gosse. B.J. p. 346: March, Pr. Ac. Sc. Phil. 1863, p. 63: 
Scl. P.Z.S. 1861, p. 81: Newt. List, p. Ill: Scott, Auk, ix. p. 9: Sharpe, 
Cat. B. xxvi., p. SO 
Hab. N. America, ‘not uncommon in Jamaica.’ 
