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The Gyrfalcons were most highly regarded for hunting by the falconers 
of old and by the exacting laws of the times their use was restricted to 
persons of the highest rank. They combine all the spirit and hardihood 
of the smaller species with greater size and strength and hence were 
adapted for the largest game to be taken with birds. The Gyrfalcons are 
of far northern distribution in Canada and are very rare within the limits 
of settlement, rarely troubling poultry yards or game coverts; otherwise 
a war of extermination would probably have to be waged against them as 
they are undoubtedly very destructive. 
In Canada there are two species. They are circumpolar in distribu- 
tion, occurring in the northern parts of both the Old and New Worlds. 
353. White Gyrfalcon. FR.—LE FAUCON BLANC. Falco islandus. L, 22. A very 
large falcon, mostly pure white with small but sharp markings of light brown. 
Distinctions. The general whiteness and the lack of markings on the under tail 
coverts will differentiate this from the next species. Its large size and obviously falcon-like 
characters will identify it as a Gyrfalcon. 
Nesting. On rocky cliffs. 
Distribution. The Arctic regions. Breeds in Greenland and the adjacent parts of 
America. Only a casual visitor in the settled parts of Canada. 
None of the Gyrfalcons are common in the settled parts of Canada 
and, therefore, will not be discussed in detail. 
354a. Gyrfalcon. Fr.—(in part) LE FAucoN NorR. Falco rusticolus. L, 20. Similar 
in size to the White Gyrfalcon and of much darker coloration. Slaty-brown above, more 
or less margined or barred with cream or white. Head and underparts white or creamy- 
white, striped with colour of back. 
Distinctions. In the White Gyrfalcon white greatly predominates, whereas in the 
lightest of this species white and slaty-brown are about equal in mass and in the darkest the 
brown greatly preponderates. The under tail coverts are always somewhat streaked. 
Nesting. On cliffs or in trees. 
Distribution. The Arctic regions of the northern hemisphere; only an accidental 
straggler within settled districts. 
SUBSPECIES. The American representative of this species has been divided into 
three subspecies or geographica] races, based upon the degree of dark coloration; the 
Grey Gyrfalcon F. r.rusticolus, the type form, the Gyrfalcon F. r. gyrfalco, and the Black 
Gyrfalcon F. r. obsoletus. Some of these subdivisions are perhaps based upon age plumages 
or individual variation and may be found to be unnecessary. The names suggest the 
difference in colour of the forms. The first has the head broadly streaked with dark 
against an almost white ground, the second has an almost solidly dark head and the dark 
of the back heavily margined with lighter, and the third has an almost black back and the 
underparts so heavily streaked as to be almost black. 
356. Peregrine Falcon. DUCK HAWK. BULLET HAWK. FR.—LE FAUCON PBRLERIN. 
Falco peregrinus. L, 16-50. Plate XIV A. 
Distinctions. The colouring shown in Plate XIV A, the comparative size, and the 
true falecon-like character of the bill and wing should serve for the recognition of this bird. 
Field Marks. The long, sharp falcon wings, coloration, and size are distinctive. 
The flight also is easily recognized—a quick flapping of the wings with little sailing. 
Nesting. Usually on the ledges of rocky cliffs, occasionally in hollow branches of 
tall trees. 
Distribution. It ranges over most of the Arctic, temperate, and subtemperate regions 
of the northern hemisphere, nowhere common but living in scattered pairs and returnmg 
to the same locality year after year. 
SUBSPECIES. The New World form under the name of Duck Hawk F.p. anatum, 
is the only representative of the species occurring in America. 
The American representative of this species is a subspecies of the 
famous Peregrine Falcon of the Old World, which next to the Gyrfalcon 
was the most desirable hunting hawk of the faleconers, and our Duck 
