•Falconid®. 
Falconid®. BIEDS. 
clxix 
differ strikingly from tlie Strigidm, Gatliartidm, and 
may serve to distinguish the birds of tliis family 
from those of the two otliers.” — N. A. Birds. 
WHITE GERFALCON {Falco gijrfalcd).—'\'\\& habi- 
tat of this Falcon is Ureenland and continent of 
Nortli America, nortli of Hudson’s Bay — breeding in 
latter region. It is also found in all parts of the 
circumpolar regions. Several varieties are recog- 
nized. Six very beautiful specimens of this bird are 
in the American Museum, Central Park, including 
the two varieties islandicus and caudicans. 'I’he 
variety caudicans is nearly pure white, or very faintly 
barred with dark plumbeous crescents. Variety 
islandicus has more of a bluish cast, and the whole 
up|)er parts are covered with broad transverse bands 
of dark plumbeous. Specimens are occasionally 
taken in New England. Yariety sacer (McParlane’s 
genus Falcon), has the size and proportion of islandi- 
cus, with the colors of gyrfalco. 'I'lie Black Cerfal- 
con, var. labradora, has the ground color of the 
plumage uniform, very deep, clear, dark plumbeous- 
l)rown. 'I'he liead, except beneath, is unvariegated. 
'The nest of the Gerfalcon is built on inaccessible 
cliffs. 'They prey on water-fowl and ptarmagans, 
and usually build near the roosting-places of sea- 
fowl. In some instances the nest is found in top of 
pine-trees. Their llight is similar to that of the 
Peregrine Falcon, but more elevated, majestic and 
rapid. 'I’heir cries are also like those of that Falcon, 
being very loud, shrill and piercing. 
PRAIRIE FALCON {Falco lanarius ). — This bird is 
also called the Amkrican Banner. It is the variety 
polyagrus, which is found in the limits of our country, 
its habitat being the western division of North 
America, eastward to Illinois; Oregon to Lower 
Galifornia and Texas. “ T'he American Lanner Fal- 
con,” says Prof. Baird, “ is so very closely related to 
the Lanners of Europe and Asia (var. lanarius and 
var. jugger), that it is very difficult to indicate the dif- 
ferences which separate them.” Dr. Cooper regards 
this as one of the shyest as well as one of the swift- 
est of Hawks. It prefers the borders of prairies, 
and preys upon hares, quail, and even larger game. 
Mr. Bidgway has procured this Hawk as far east as 
Soutliei'ii Illinois. 
AMERICAN PEREGRINE FALCON {Falco commu- 
nis; var. anatum). — -'riiis is also called the Duck 
Hawk. It is found over the entire continent of 
America and adjacent islands. 'I'liere is a difference 
of opinion concerning the existence of t^o distinct 
species. 'I'he most favorably received opinion is that 
there are two species on the American continent, 
and that one of them — the northern one — is identi- 
cal with the European bird. Prof. Baird, however, 
says : “ Both of these views I hold to be entirely 
erroneous ; for, after examining and comparing criti- 
cally a series of more than one hundred specimens of 
these birds, from every portion of America (except 
Eastern South America), including nearly all the 
West India Islands, 1 find that, with the e.xception 
of the melanistic littoral race of the north-west 
coast (var. pealei),they all fall under one race, which, 
though itself exceedingly variable, yet possesses the 
VoL. I. — y- 
characters whereby it may always be distinguished 
from the Peregrine of all portions of the Old World.” 
A variety called the Black Peregrine Falcon (pealei) 
is found in nortli-west coast of North America, 
from Oregon to Litha. 'I’he Peregrine Falcon, called 
also the Great-footed Haavk, is a resident of New 
England throughout the year, being usually found on 
the sea-shore. It is very powerful, and a swift flyer ; 
the terror of water-fowl, its legitimate prey. Audu- 
bon says of it; “1 have nowhere seen it so abun- 
dant as along the high, rocky shores of Labrador 
and Newfoundland, where 1 procured several adult 
individuals of both sexes, as well as some eggs and 
young. 'I’he nests are jjlaced on the shelves of 
rocks, a few feet from the top, and were flat, and 
rudely constructed of sticks and moss. In several 
instances we found these Falcons breeding on the 
same ledge with Cormorants.” Wilson says of him : 
“'I’his noble bird had excited our curiosity for a long 
time. Every visit which we made to the coast was 
rendered doubly interesting by the wonderful stories 
which we heard of its exploits in fowling, and of its 
daring enterprise. 'I’here was not a gunner along- 
shore but knew it well ; and each could relate some- 
thing of it which bordered on the marvellous. It 
was described as darting with the rapidity of an 
arrow on the Ducks when on the wing, and stiiking 
them down with the projecting bone of its breast. 
Even the Wild Geese were said to be in danger from 
its attacks, it having been known to sacrifice them 
to its rapacity. * * It often follows the steps 
of the gunner, knowing that the Ducks will l)e 
aroused on the wing, which will afford it an almost 
certain chance of success.” 'J’his species was long 
greatly valued in Europe for purposes of falconry. 
Wilson objects to the name peregrine, as, he says, 
our Hawk is not migratory ; accordingly, he calls it 
the Great-footed Hawk, from the fact that its talons 
are unusually large and rugged. It is about twenty 
inches in length, and three feet eight inches in extent 
of wing. 'I’he most striking characters of this species 
are the broad patch of black drop[)ing below the eye, 
and the uncommonly large feet. 
PIGEON HAWK {Falco lithofalco). called also the 
American Merlin. — Habitat, entire continent of 
North America, south to Venezuela and Ecuador, 
and the West India Islands. 'I’liis small Hawk is 
bold and swift of flight. It is a common spring and 
fall visitor in New England, and is sometimes a resi- 
dent in the southern portions. It is eleven- inches iiV 
length, and twenty-three inches in- extent. The 
whole upper parts are a deep, dark brown, ex-ccpt the 
tail, which is crossed with- bars of white. It has, 
like many other species, been regarded as a valuable 
hunting- Falcon. A black variety — var, suckleyii — • 
is found on the coast region of Northern California, 
Oregon and AVashington 'I’erritory. 'I’his variety is 
of a more uniform and of a darker color. 'I’he tail is 
tipped with white, but the bars are very faintly in- 
dicated. Another variety, richardsoni, is seen in the 
interior regions of North America, between the Mis- 
sissi])pi Valley and the Rocky Mountains, and from 
'I’exas to the Arctic regions. 
