196 BIRDS OF THE NEW YORK CITY REGION 



GYRFALCON (Falco rusticolus gyrfalco) 

 Gyrfalcons are primarily arctic birds. This and the next 

 have occasionally straggled south in winter to the United 

 States. Specimens of this race have been shot on Long Island 

 in 1856 and 1877. 



BLACK GYRFALCON (Falco rusticolus obsoletus) 

 Specimens have been shot on Long Island in 1875 and 

 1899. Another was shot in Westchester County in 1879. 



DUCK HAWK (Falco peregrinus anatum) 

 The Duck Hawk or Peregrine is a permanent resident on the 

 Palisades of the Hudson, at least two pairs nesting in our 

 territory. These birds are not infrequently seen in various 

 parts of New York City where they have learned that there is 

 excellent pigeon hunting. On Long Island the bird occurs 

 regularly as a transient along the outer beaches in May, 

 September, and early October, but is casual at other seasons. 

 It is exceedingly rare inland in Northern New Jersey, and is 

 not reported from most localities. 



Falcons can always be recognized by their pointed wings 

 and long pointed tails. The Duck Hawk is readily recogniz- 

 able by its size and its black " mustaches." The wing-beats 

 are rapid and continuous, and its flight impresses one by its 

 speed and power. 



Long Island. Uncommon transient, common in the fall; 

 May 12 to May 28, 1922, Jones Beach (Crosby, Griscom, Janvrin, 

 J. M. Johnson); September 16 to October 28; one December 

 record; an exceptionally early bird noted April 5, 1916 at Garden 

 City (J. T. Nichols). 



ORIENT. Casual, September 20; December 25, 1908; 

 May 20. 



MASTIC. Uncommon transient. 



LONG BEACH. Regular in the fall, September 23, 1920 

 (Bicknell) to November 1, 1920 (Bicknell); one spring record 

 May 15, 1919 (Bicknell); one winter record, February 3, 

 1922 (Bicknell). 



