FALC0NID.1i. 



545 



THE GYR-FALCON. 



F.\LCO GYRFALCO, Linnffius. 



Careful examination of the Northern Falcons has convinced me 

 of the recognizable distinctness of the representative of the Iceland 

 Falcon resident in Scandinavia, although at one time I was sceptical 

 on this point, owing to want of experience as well as of material. 

 The true F. gyrfako of Linnaeus is rather smaller in the head and 

 body than the Icelander (though its tail is longer) and its wings are 

 shorter in proportion, the grey of the ground-colour is of a more 

 decidedly lavender tint ; the crown and sides of the head are much 

 darker, the lower cheek-patch or stripe being sometimes so strongly 

 developed that the bird resembles a large Peregrine ; while the 

 flanks and under surface are very strongly barred. 



In the collection of Mr. W. Borrer, of Cowfold, Sussex, there is a 

 fine example of this species, shot at Mayfield, in January 1845, 



