THE BIRDS USED IN HAWKING 13 



stooper, but a poor " footer," that it was the reverse of hardy, 

 and difficult to keep in condition. When observed in the wild 

 state in Scotland it was found to kill a great many rooks, and 

 to be dreaded by the wild-fowl, but not to be partial to game, 

 though it was seen to make an ineffectual stoop at a blackcock. 



Iceland Falcon {Falco islandus) 



Female — Length, about 24 inches ; wing, about 17 ; tail, 

 9 J. Male — Length, about 21 inches ; wing, 15 ; tail, 8 J. 



In young birds the upper parts are dark greyish brown or 

 brownish grey, each feather barred and tipped with a much 

 lighter grey. The under plumage is dusky white, splashed 

 more or less profusely, especially on the breast and flanks, with 

 streaky spots and splashes of greyish brown. At the iirst 

 moult the brown tinge begins to disappear, and the spots on 

 the breast and flanks become more heart-shaped than longi- 

 tudinal, and less profuse. In subsequent moults the spots 

 become smaller and smaller, and the whole plumage fades to a 

 lighter grey, the bars on the upper plumage often softening 

 gradually to a greyish white. The sides of the head and lower 

 nape are white, with brownish lead-coloured shaft marks in the 

 immature plumage, fading and diminishing as the hawk moults. 

 The moustachial streak is wanting in this variety. 



This species of ger was very highly esteemed in antiquity; 

 and individual falcons were occasionally presented by the kings 

 of Denmark to foreign potentates as a high compliment. In 

 modern times it has been found delicate, and difficult to keep in 

 health. Mr. Newcome had some which flew well at herons, but 

 did not find them so generally effective as peregrines. The late 

 Maharajah Dhuleep Singh flew them with success at hares. Lord 

 Lilford, however, was unable to get them to fly rabbits or hares, 

 and found them liable to a troublesome affection of the feet. 



Norway Falcon {Fako gyrfalcd) 



Female — Length, about 22 inches ; wing, 16 ; tail, 9. Male — 

 Length, 19^ inches ; wing, 14; tail, 8|. 



In the young the general colour of the upper plumage is a 

 lead-coloured brown, each feather tipped and margined with a 

 somewhat lighter brown or buff. The flight feathers are also 

 similarly margined. The lower back is sometimes tinged with 

 grey. The tail is tipped with white, and barred rather closely 

 with a speckly buff. The breast is profusely streaked with 



