The Birds of Australia, Vol. 1 of 7

Astur Raii, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 180.

Falco clarus, Lath. Ind. Orn. Supp., p. 13?—Shaw, Gen. Zool., vol. vii. p. 184?

Fair Falcon, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. ii. p. 54?—Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. i. p. 226?

The only part of Australia in which I have met with this species is New South Wales, where it would appear to evince a preference for the dense and luxuriant brushes near the coast; but so little has at present been ascertained respecting its economy, range and habits, that its history is nearly a blank—even whether it is migratory or not is unknown. That it breeds in the brushes of the district above mentioned is certain, for I recollect seeing a brood of young ones in the possession of Alexander Walker Scott, Esq., of Newcastle on the Hunter, a gentleman much attached to the study of the natural productions of Australia. These young birds differed but little in colour from the fully adult specimens in my collection, except that the transverse markings of the breast were much darker and of a more arrow-shaped form; which markings become fainter and more linear as the bird advances in age.

The sexes present the usual difference in size, but in colour and markings they closely assimilate.

All the upper surface grey; throat and all the under surface white, crossed with numerous irregular grey bars; cere yellowish orange; feet yellow; bill and claws black.

The irides of the young are brown.

The figures represent the two sexes of the natural size, the smaller bird being the male.