FALCON I D.«. 



33^ 







THP: GREENLAND FALCON. 



Falco candicans, J. F. Gmelin. 



Considerable difterence of opinion still exists respecting the 

 specific distinctness of the large Northern Falcons, for which some 

 systematists have adopted the genus Ilicrofalio; but Mr. John 

 Hancock was the first to show that in the ])resent species the pre- 

 vailing ground-colour is wJiite at all ages, whereby the Greenland 

 Falcon may always be distinguished from the Iceland Falcon, or 

 any other member of the group. For a long time all these members 

 were included under the title of ' Gyr ' Falcon ; it is therefore 

 impossible to say how many of the earlier records refer to the true 

 Greenland Falcon ; while some of the birds respecting the specific 

 identity of which there can be no doubt, are suspected of having 

 escaped from establishments devoted to falconry. There is, however, 

 ample evidence that wild examples of the Greenland Falcon have 



