THE ICELAND FALCON. 



Falco islandus, J. F. Gmelin. 

 Plate 36. 



This species occasionally visits the British Islands in winter, though less fre- 

 quently than the Greenland Falcon, and, like the other northern Falcons, shows 

 considerable variations in colour in different individuals. In all these Falcons, 

 however, when once they have attained their mature plumage, no alteration takes 

 place in the type of markings or colour, a dark bird always remaining so, while a 

 light one keeps the same phase of colouring during its lifetime. 



This Falcon is a resident in Iceland and southern Greenland, the race inhabit- 

 ing the latter country, known as F. holboelli, being whiter than the true Icelander, 

 and is apparently intermediate between it and F. candicans. 



In Iceland this species lays it eggs, which are similar to the Greenlander's, on 

 ledges of cliffs, or in the unoccupied nest of a Raven or other bird. It often chooses 

 inland situations, on precipices overhanging, freshwater lakes, where it obtains an 

 abundant supply of waterfowl and other birds. It was, like the species just de- 

 scribed, much sought after in ancient times by falconers, but not prized so much 

 as the more northern bird. 



The young have the general plumage of the upper parts dark brown, with 

 brownish-yellow edgings to the feathers, and the lower portions broadly marked 

 with longitudinal bands of dark brown on a lighter ground. 



THE GYR-FALCON. 



Falco gyrfalco, Linnaeus. 

 Plate 37, 



Two or perhaps three specimens only of the true Gyr- Falcon have occurred 

 in England, the first, an adult bird, having been shot at Mayfield, Sussex, in 

 January 1845. Inhabiting more southern regions than either of the other two 

 northern Falcons, it appears to have less inducement to wander in winter from 

 its haunts in Norway, Sweden, Lapland, and northern Russia, though it is said 

 to occur in Greenland and Arctic America. 



The adult birds may be distinguished from those of the Iceland Falcon by 

 their darker colouring, especially on the head, by the dark moustacial patch, and 

 also by their slightly smaller size. The immature birds are practically the same 

 in colour in both species, as are likewise the eggs. 



It breeds on cliffs like its congeners, and preys chiefly on wildfowl and 

 Ptarmigan. 



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