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354a. Gyrfalcon. FK. LE FAUCON NOIR. Falco rusticolus. L, 20. Similar in size 

 to the White Gyrfalcon but of much darker coloration. Slaty brown above, more or 

 lees 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 undertail-coverts are always somewhat streaked. 



Nesting. On cliffs or in trees. 



Distribution. The Arctic regions; only an accidental straggler within settled districts 



SUBSPECIES. The American representative of this species has been divided into 

 three subspecies or geographical races, based upon the degrees 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 plum- 

 ages or individual variation and may 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 under- 

 parts so heavily streaked as to be nearly solid black. 



356. Peregrine Falcon. DUCK HAWK. BULLET HAWK. FR. LE FAUCON PELERIN. 

 Falco peregrinus. L, 16-50. Plate XIV A. 



Distinctions. The colouring shown in Plate XIV A, the comparative size, and the 

 true falcon- 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 and temperate regions of the 

 northern hemisphere, nowhere common but living in scattered pairs and returning to the 

 same local-'ty 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 eastern 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 falconers, and our ,Duck 

 Hawk is almost if not quite indistinguishable from the European bird. 

 Although distributed over most of the northern hemisphere it is every- 

 where a rare and more or less casual visitor or breeder. 



Economic Status. The size of the prey which this bird can take is 

 remarkable. Even the Mallard Duck, weighing perhaps three times as 

 much as the Falcon, is often struck down. Around a nest found by the 

 writer in the Muskoka district, were the remains of several mil-grown 

 Ruffed Grouse that must have been carried bodily to it. An examination 

 of the stomach contents of 16 specimens gave the following result: 7 

 contained poultry or game-birds; 9, other birds; 1, mice; and 2, insects. 

 Fortunately for itself it is as wary as it is spirited. Adults usually confine 

 themselves to the fields and marshes where they can do little direct 

 damage. 



Subgenus Tinnunculus. Pigeon Hawks. 



357. Pigeon Hawk. FR. LE FAUCON DBS PIGEONS. Falco columbarius. L, 10. 

 A small Falcon. Adult males: dark slate-blue above, bluest on lower back and rump. 

 Below, streaked with orown on an ochraceous ground, the stripes aggregating slightly 

 on lower breast. Juveniles: similar but back brown instead of slate. Adult female..: 

 intermediate. 



Distinctions. True Falcon characters; the generally dark coloration and the smal 

 size of this Hawk are characteristic. 



