TAB. XVIII.
F A L C O FUSCUS.
For the Generic CharaBers of Falco fee the defcription of TAB. XVII.
CHARACTER SPECIFICUS, &c.
Falco fiifcus, fubtus pallidus maculis defcendentibus nigris, cauda ferruginea fufco fafciata,
roftro plumbeo, pedibus ilavis.
Cera orbitasque albidae.
S P E C I F I C CHARACTER, &c.
Brown Falco, pale beneath with black defcending fpots, tail ferruginous fafciated with brown,
bill lead-coloured, feet yellow.
The cere and orbits are whitilli.
THE birds of the genus Falco are fo much fubjeft to vary in colour from age and other circumftances,
that it not unfrcquendy happens that a confufion takes place in the defcriptions of
authors, and the fpecies are made more numerous than perhaps they really are. For this uncertainty
diere is no remedy, and we are obliged to be content with obtaining but a partial
knowledge of many of the ipecies. The fexual diiference alfo in thefe birds is greater than in
moft others (except perhaps the Duck-tribe), infomuch that the females of fome particular
hawks (unlefs known by their alibciation with their reipeftive males) would not appear to belong
to the fame fpecies. The bird reprefented on the annexed Plate is of a dulky brown above,
undulated with a deeper or blacker tinge. The lower parts are of a whitiih afh-colour, with
oblong marks of black, which are moil: conlpicuous on the thighs. The tail is of a ferruginous
yellow, with numerous tranfverfe bars of brown: the bill bluilh; the cere pale, and the legs
yellow. In fize and general lhape this bird is nearly allied to the Sparrow-hawk. It is a native
of North America.