ol FALCONIDA. 
Or the true Falcons which the British Islands produce, 
the Gyr-Falcon may be considered one of the most typical 
in form, as it is the largest in size. It is an inhabitant of 
the North of Europe and North America, seldom appear- 
ing south of the 52° of latitude, or north of 74°. It is not, 
~however, very numerous anywhere; and from its great 
courage and strength large sums were formerly expended 
in procuring specimens from Iceland and Norway, for va- 
rious potentates of Europe who were then devoted to fal- 
conry. Those specimens obtained from Iceland were called 
exclusively Iceland Falcons ; and from peculiarities observed 
in their disposition, as well as in their mode of flying at 
their game, not only commanded the highest prices, but 
they were, and are even now, considered by falconers as 
a species distinct from the Gyr-Falcon. “ They say that 
these two Falcons differ in the comparative length of 
their wings in reference to the tail; the Iceland Falcon 
is, to them, a much more valuable, as well as a much 
more rare species ; that they require a different system of 
training, as well as of general management. They de- 
scribe the Iceland Falcon as a bird of higher courage than 
the Gyr-Falcon ; of a more rapid and bolder flight; and 
that it can be flown successfully at larger game. Its 
gyrations are said to be wider, its mount higher, and its 
stoop to the quarry more impetuous, grand, and imposing.” 
Some naturalists believe that the Greenland and Iceland 
Falcons are distinct species ;* others with M. Temminck, 
consider these birds as local varieties only. 
The specimen from which Mr. Bewick took his repre-— 
sentation of the Gyr-Falcon is now in good condition in 
the Museum of Natural History at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 
* See a paper by Mr. John Hancock, Annals of Natural History, vol. ii. page 
241. 
