BIRDS OF MAINE. 63 



ster, who says: "Not long since Mr. George A. Boardman wrote 

 me that he had heard of the capture, in eastern Maine, of a very 

 light-colored Gyrfalcou. Upon my expressing a lively interest in 

 the matter he very kindly put me in correspondence with Mr. John 

 Clayton of Lincoln, Maine, who mounted the specimen, and from 

 whom I have just purchased it. Although too dark-colored to be 

 typical of that form it is, nevertheless, an unmistakable example 

 of F. i*lan(ln*i Briton. It was shot in South Wiiin, about October 

 8, 1893, by a young man named Wymun, who found it perched on 

 a telegraph pole." (Cf. Brewster, The Auk, Vol. 12, p. 180). 

 This Peuobscot County specimen is unique in Maine, and even the 

 United States, as is in fact stated by Mr. Brewster in the article 

 above quoted. 



154. (354). Falco rusticolus Linn. Gray Gyrfalcon. 



A specimen taken at Cape Elizabeth, October, 13th, 1877, and 

 recorded by Mr. Brown under the name of Hierofalco gyrf&lco 

 islandicus, is the only New England example of this bird known to 

 exist. It is at present in the collection of Prof. J. Y. Stauton of 

 Lewiston. The record will be found in Brown's Catalogue of the 

 Birds of Portland, p. 21. In Minot's Laud and Game Birds of 

 New England, 2nd edition, page 479, Mr. Brewster in speaking 

 of this specimen says : "I have not yet seen it, but if it has been 

 correctly identified it is the only New England example of 

 i-nxHwlus of which I have any present knowledge." Mr. Boardman 

 writes me that he has at least two specimens of this bird, but 

 unfortunately they were both taken on Canadian soil, and though 

 taken near our boundary they are not Maine specimens. 



155. (354a). Falco rusticolus gyrfalco (Linn.). Gyrfalcon. 

 But one instance of its occurrence in the state is known to me. 



A specimen is recorded under the name of Falco gyrjalco sacer 

 (Forst.) as being taken at Ktaadn Iron Works, Piscataquis County, 

 December, 1876. (Cf. Purdie, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. 4, p. 

 188). After correspondence with Mr. Purdie who is positive of 

 the correctness of his identification, I have added the species to 

 our list as a casual winter visitor. 



156. (354b). Falco rusticolus obsoletus (GmeL). Black 

 Gyrfalcon. 



Like others of its near relatives it ranks as a rare winter visitor, 

 though more abundant than the other Gyrfalcons. 



