FALCONS 241 



states (Birds of Greenland, p. 24) "I believe the two forms 

 (referring to light and dark birds) are related much in the 

 same way as those of the Fulmarinae, etc". Mr. Hagerup also 

 states (Ibid.): — "As Holboll and Fencker repeatedly observed 

 mated pairs, one of which was white (F. islandicus) and the 

 other dark (F. rusticolus), and as Holboll also found light 

 and dark colored young in the same nest, I conclude with these 

 observers that there is but one species of Gyrfalcon found in 

 Greenland" etc. The finding of both light and dark colored 

 young in the same nest seems most conclusive. It is indeed 

 quite possible that like Swainson's Hawk these birds may have 

 both a light and dark phase of coloration. 



In the far north they are said to nest on cliffs, making their 

 nests of sticks and laying three to five eggs. The eggs are 

 recorded as having a creamy white ground color, so thickly 

 speckled and spotted with brilliant reddish as to often obscure 

 the ground color. The eggs are also said to be covered with 

 little wart like elevations. A set is stated to measure as fol- 

 lows:— 2.32 X 1.83, 2.35 X 1.83, 2.38 x 1.84, 2.39 x 1.79, 

 (Davie). In habits all the Gyrfalcons are very much alike, 

 bold and dashing, feeding on Ptarmigan, Ducks, and similar 

 game birds and waterfowl. They are only slightly migratory, 

 moving only but little southward in winter. 



354. Falco rnsticoltcs Linn. Gray Gyrfalcon. 



Plumage : " Lower tail coverts always more or less marked with dusky ; 

 top of head much streaked with white, often with white prevailing ; tail 

 crossed by alternating dark and white or whitish bars usually of about equal 

 width and sharply contrasted ; remainder of upper parts conspicuously bar- 

 red or spotted with grayish white, or light buffy on a dark ground ; under 

 parts barred (in old birds) or striped (in young) with dusky on a whitish 

 ground" (Brewster, Land and Game Birds N. E. p. 478). Measurements 

 not different from preceding. 



Geog. Dist. — Arctic regions, Greenland, Iceland and Arctic America. 



County Records. — Cumberland; a specimen taken at Cape Elizabeth, 

 October 13, 1877, is in the collection of Prof. J. Y. Stanton of Lewiston, 

 (Brown, C. B. P. p. 21) . Mr. Norton has recently re-examined this specimen 

 and confirms its identification (J. M. 0. S. 1907, p. 19). 



