THE GREENLAND FALCON. 

 Falco candicans, J. F. Gmelin. 

 Plate 36. 



This truly noble bird, one of the three large northern Falcons belonging to the 

 group formerly known as " Jer," or " Gyr," is, as its name implies, a native of 

 northern Greenland, breeding also within the Arctic Circle in North America. 



The late John Hancock was the first to point out that it may be distinguished 

 at all ages from the Iceland and Gyr-Falcon by the spots and markings telling dark 

 against the light ground colour of white ; whereas in both the other forms the plan 

 of colouring is reversed, these having a dark ground relieved with spots and mark- 

 ings of white or grey. Owing to the hunting grounds of the Greenland Falcon in 

 the far north being frozen up in the winter months, and thus cutting short its food 

 supply, a good many birds migrate southwards during the cold season, and thus 

 it more often visits our islands, especially Scotland and Ireland, than the other 

 two species, which live in a less severe climate. 



The nest is placed on the rocky ledge of a cliff, sometimes on the former 

 habitation of some other species, and usually contains four eggs, in ground colour 

 reddish-orange, spotted over with reddish-brown or brick-red. 



The Greenland Falcon is the most beautiful of our Hawks, with its full dark 

 eye and snowy plumage, and was in great repute in the days of falconry, when it 

 was flown at the larger kinds of quarry, such as Cranes and Herons, but its place 

 has now been taken by the Peregrine for purposes of sport. In olden times so 

 much value was set on this bird, that it was looked upon as a gift for kings. 

 Falconers, skilled in trapping Hawks, were sent to Norway and Iceland to obtain 

 it, and it seems always to have been more prized than the grey Falcons. The 

 young bird has broad brownish markings above, and tear-shaped spots below, and 

 the tail is barred with dusky brown. 



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