28 FALCONID.E. 



many years in catcliing hares, rabbits, &c. It came from 

 Iceland.* 



In reference to keeping this rare species from year to year, 

 Sir John Sebriglit, in his Observations on Hawking, says — 

 " As it is difficult to procure Icelanders and Gyr-Falcons, 

 these valuable birds are well worth mewing (putting to 

 moult) ; but as Peregrine Falcons and Goshawks are easily 

 obtained, much trouble and expense will be saved by getting 

 young birds every year ; and as these do not cast their wing 

 and tail-feathers the first year, they will be in order to fly in 

 the autumn, when the older birds will be in moult." When 

 kept for flying over their moult, they are then called Inter- 

 mewed Hawks. 



The Peregrine Falcon being much more numerous as a 

 species, and much more easily procured, was more particu- 

 larly the object of the falconer''s care and tuition ; and in the 

 history of that bird, which follows next in the series, a few 

 observations on the powers of flight and the mode of using 

 the Falcons Avill be introduced. 



From the great strength and courage of the Gyr-Falcon, 

 it was usual to fly them at birds of large size ; such as Cranes, 

 Storks, Herons, and Wild Geese. 



The Gyr-Falcon is said to build annually on the rocky 

 coasts of Norway and Iceland. Two eggs in my own col- 

 lection I believe to belong to this species : the length is two 

 inches and three-eighths, the transverse measurement one 

 inch seven-eighths ; both are mottled nearly all over with 

 pale reddish brown on a dull white ground ; they are larger 

 than those of the Peregrine Falcon, but very similar in 

 shape and colour, as Avell as in the mode in Avhich the colour 

 is disposed over the surface. 



These birds defend their young with great courage and 

 * G. T. Fox, Esq. Synopsis of the Newcastle Museum, p. 52. 



