BIRDS OF NEW YORK 95 



such as the Kestrel and American sparrow hawk, are usually to be classed 

 as injurious species because of their destructiveness in the feathered king- 

 dom, though they often evade the condemnation of mankind because of 

 the general admiration of their dashing bravery and preeminent fitness 

 for their avocation. In the Orient, members of this family are still 

 employed in the practice of falconry, but in western Europe this occupa- 

 tion has fallen into disuse in recent times. 



Falco islandus Brannich 

 Whits Gryfa'.con 



Plate 53 



Distinctive marks. White, the head and under parts almost without marks, only 

 slightly streaked on the top and sides of head and on flanks and flags; the back, wings and 

 tail marked with dusky broken bars and arrowheads. Young birds are somewhat more 

 heavily marked than the old ones, and the markings are more lengthwise of the feathers 

 than in bars, but still the predominant impression is of a white bird, especially the head, 

 neck and under parts. Size the same as Gyrfalcon. 



This Arctic species has been taken in Maine and Ontario. Mr Frederic S. Webster 

 reports one killed near Troy, N. Y., in the winter of 1874, but the specimen has not been 

 traced. Arthur H. Helme writes that he saw a bird near Miller's Place, L. I., which he 

 feels sure belonged to this species, but as he was unable to secure the specimen, can not 

 prove its occurrence beyond a doubt. Mr Helme's experience as a field naturalist and 

 familiarity with all our native birds, and Mr Webster's work as a bird student and taxi- 

 dermist give credence to these reports, but we still lack a New York specimen of this 

 Gyrfalcon. 



Falco rusticolus rusticolus (Linnaeus) 



Gray Gyrfalcon 



This bird differs from the White gyrfalcon only in coloring. The upper parts 

 barred, arrow-pointed and spotted transversely with grayish fuscous, whitish prevailing 

 on the head and neck, dark prevailing on the back and wings, under parts white, decidedly 

 lighter than upper parts, streaked and spotted with dark on the sides, flanks and under tail- 

 coverts. 



Like the preceding this Arctic species has been taken in Wisconsin, Ontario and Maine, 

 and must visit the northern portions of New York at rare intervals, but no specimens 

 from the State as yet have been discovered. 



