THE JER OR GYR-FALCON 469 



The Jer or Gyr-Falcon. 



These beautiful birds are sometimes to be seen even 

 in England, but as a rule they are persecuted for 

 stuffing as curiosities. They are known by the three 

 names of 'Iceland/ 'Greenland,' and 'Norway' falcons. 

 I have come across a few specimens of the Greenland 

 in Caithness-shire, as also of the snowy owl. They 

 are not uncommon in several places in the North of 

 Scotland. The country is suited for them ; and no 

 doubt, if they were not disturbed, they would settle 

 and breed there. The nestling birds are dark until 

 after the first moult. The Iceland falcons were 

 formerly preserved by the King of Denmark, and 

 were presented to the hawking establishments of other 

 Courts. 



When hawking with H.H. the Maharajah Duleep 

 Singh, in 1859, these hawks were valued at ^16 

 apiece, and sometimes more ; but, in my estimation, 

 I think that the peregrine gives more satisfaction. 



They were much used in former times for flying the 

 kite, like the saker. They are trained in exactly the 

 same way as the peregrine. The heat of the sun is 

 bad for them, as they come from a cold climate. The 

 Greenland is oftener seen in this country than the 

 Iceland. I have at times, when shooting, mistaken 

 them for sea-gulls at first. The late Lord Lovat 

 shot a fine specimen, a female, at Beaufort. 



The Saker. 



This falcon is good at smaller game, such as grouse, 

 partridge, etc. In India she is flown at the kite, and 

 affords grand sport. One which v/as just trained and 



