I 



254 TEN YEAES IN SWEDEN. 



of the body have always the form of more or less developed 

 transverse bands. The pale cross bands on the upper tail 

 feathers are blueish white., and those on the sides of the 

 rump ash grey. The head, neck, and back of the throat 

 have also small transverse bands or streaks. The beak 

 at the root, and the feet are yellow, at least in dry 

 examples. The figure in the atlas represents the island 

 falcon, F. Candicans Island, Schl." 



Falco Gyrfalco, Schl. Den ISTorske Jagt falk. F. 

 LanariuSj L. This never becomes white, but the old bird 

 has, on the contrary, a considerable resemblance to the 

 young Iceland falcon, viz., the female of the first and the 

 male of the last, which resemble each other most in size. 

 This is met with in summer, and breeds, as far as we know, 

 only in the north of Scandinavia. The examination of 

 specimens sent from thence, and information received from 

 residents and hunters living there have fully convinced me 

 that it is a distinct species. From the young Iceland and 

 Greenland falcon, it differs in its smaller size (in the 

 same sex), in the dark check spot (as in the pere- 

 grine), in its yellow-green legs, and by the spots on the 

 under part of the body, as well as on the sides, having the 

 form of transverse bands. It is very probable that even 

 this falcon visits us (in Denmark) more frequently than the 

 foregoing, with which in the immature dress (and only such 

 visits us) it is easily confounded. 



I have given above the best and most concise description 

 whichl have ever seen of these three falcons, and as to whether 

 they are only varieties of colour of one bird, or distinct 

 species, I can offer no further evidence. I must say, 

 however, that I place as much faith in Kjarb oiling on this 

 subject as in any man living, and from what little opportu- 

 nity I have had of comparing specimens, I am decidedly 

 of opinion that it will turn out at some future day, when 

 the different stages of plumage become better known and 

 authenticated, that this Norwegian Jer falcon is as good 

 and distinct a species as the peregrine. 



I do not believe the true Iceland falcon has ever been 

 known to breed in Scandinavia. 



