126 



The Gyrfalcons were most highly regarded for hunting by the falconers 

 of old and by the exacting laws of the times their use was restricted to 

 persons of the highest rank. They combine all the spirit and hardihood 

 of the smaller species with greater size and strength and hence were 

 adapted for the largest game to be taken with birds. The Gyrfalcons are 

 of far northern distribution in Canada and are very rare within the limits 

 of settlement, rarely troubling poultry yards or game coverts; otherwise 

 a war of extermination would probably have to be waged against them as 

 they are undoubtedly very destructive. 



In Canada there are two species. They are circumpolar in distribu- 

 tion, occurring in the northern parts of both the Old and New Worlds. 



353. White Gyrfalcon. fr. — le paucon blanc. Falco islandus. L, 22. A very 

 large falcon, mostly pure white with small but sharp markings of light brown. 



Distinctions. The general whiteness and the lack of markmgs on the under tail 

 coverts wiU differentiate this from the next species. Its large size and obviously falcon-like 

 characters will identify it as a Gyrfalcon. 



Nesting. On rocky cliffs. 



Distribution. The Arctic regions. Breeds in Greenland and the adjacent parts of 

 America. Only a casual visitor in the settled parts of Canada. 



None of the Gyrfalcons are common in the settled parts of Canada 

 and, therefore, will not be discussed in detail. 



354a. Gyrfalcon. fr. — (in part) le faucon noir. Falco rusticolus. L, 20. Similar 

 in size to the White Gyrfalcon and of much darker coloration. Slaty-brown above, more 

 or less margined or barred with cream or white. Head and underparts white or creamy- 

 white, striped with coloiu* of back. 



Distinctions. In the White Gyrfalcon white greatly predominates, whereas in the 

 hghtest of this species white and slaty-brown are about equal in mass and in the darkest the 

 brown greatly preponderates. The under tail coverts are always somewhat streaked. 



Nesting. On cliffs or in trees. 



Distribution. The Arctic regions of the northern hemisphere; only an accidental 

 straggler within settled districts. 



SUBSPECIES. The American representative of this species has been divided into 

 three subspecies or geographical races, based upon the degree of dark coloration; the 

 Grey Gyrfalcon F. r. rusticolus, the type form, the Gyrfalcon F. r. gyrfalco, and the Black 

 Gyrfalcon F. r. obsoletus. Some of these subdivisions are perhaps based upon age plumages 

 or individual variation and may be found to be unnecessary. The names suggest the 

 difference in colour of the forms. The first has the head broadly streaked with dark 

 against an ahnost white ground, the second has an almost solidly dark head and the dark 

 of the back heavily margined with lighter, and the third hap an almost black back and the 

 underparts so heavily streaked as to be almost black. 



356. Peregrine Falcon, duck hawk, bullet hawk. fr. — le faucon perlerin. 

 Falco per egrinus. L, 16-50. Plate XIV A. 



Distinctions. The colouring shown in Plate XIV A, the comparative size, and the 

 true falcon-like character of the bill and wing should serve for the recognition of this bird. 



Field Marks. The long, sharp falcon wings, coloration, and size are distinctive. 

 The flight also is easily recognized — a quick flapping of the wings with Uttle sailing. 



Nesting. Usually on the ledges of rocky chffs, occasionally in hollow branches of 

 tall trees. 



Distribution. It ranges over most of the Arctic, temperate, and subtemperate regions 

 of the northern hemisphere, nowhere common but living in scattered pairs and returning 

 to the same locality year after year. 



SUBSPECIES. The New World form under the name of Duck Hawk F.p. anatum, 

 is the only representative of the species occurring in America. 



The American representative of this species is a subspecies of the 

 famous Peregrine Falcon of the Old World, which next to the Gyrfalcon 

 was the most desirable hunting hawk of the falconers, and our Duck 



