206 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



KI.ANO1DK*. 



Furcatus (Lat. forked], tlie Swallow-tailed Falcon. 



properly be called the Swallow-tailed Kite, as it belongs to 

 that family. 



FALCONS. 



In the genus Falco, the second primary feather is the long- 

 est, the first and third being of equal length. The G-YRFAL- 

 CON may be considered the type of the British Falconidae. It 

 is, however, extremely rare in England, those intended for 

 hawking being principally brought from Iceland. On the 

 rocky coasts of Norway and Iceland its eggs are laid. These 

 birds are very courageous in defending their young. A pair 

 of them attacked Dr. Richardson while he was climbing near 

 their nest, flying in circles round him and occasionally dashing 

 at his face with loud screams. The entire length of the Gyr- 

 falcon is twenty-three inches. 



