LEAD-COLOURED FALCON.

 

 

Falco concolor, Temm.

lie Faucon concolore.

Tuts species appears to be dispersed over the whole of Northern Africa, being abundant in Abyssinia and on
the banks of the Nile; it is also said to occur on the western portions of that continent, at least M. Lesson
in his ‘ Traité d’Ornithologie’ states its habitat to be “le Senégal, la Barbarie, ’Egypte, VArabie.” That a
bird of this kind should cross the Mediterranean and visit the continent of Europe is not surprising, and we
learn from M. Temminck that such is really the case ; it is therefore entitled to a place in our work.

The accompanying figure was taken from what we conceive to be an adult male ; its structure is in every
respect similar to that of the typical Falcons, and from the lengthened form of its wing and the general tone
of its colouring, it is nearly allied to the Hobby (Falco Subbuteo); it may however be at once distinguished
not only from that, but from every other species of the true Falcons, by its uniform lead-coloured plumage,
whence its specific appellation.

Although no facts are on record as to its mode of life, we may reasonably conclude that insects and small
birds constitute its principal subsistence, and that in its general economy it closely assimilates to the Hobby.

With the exception of the primaries, which are blackish brown, the entire plumage of the Falco concolor is
of a uniform leaden grey, with the shaft of each feather darker ; cere and feet yellow; bill and claws black.

Our figure is of the natural size.