TRUE FALCONS 
143 
but unlike the Accipiters are not discouraged when their stroke misses. 
They first rise above their prey by means of a long, spiral climb. Once 
above, they drop like a bullet, striking with their powerful talons as they 
do so. 
The flight of falcons is quite recognizable — pointed wings (Figure 
210) and quick strokes with very little sailing. Seen in the hand, the upper 
mandible furnished with a tooth and a small “doll’s 
head” process within the nostrils (Figure 211) will 
always separate the falcons from other hawks. For- 
tunately, none but the smallest anil least harmful of 
the subfamily is common within cultivated areas, 
and those that size makes important are either very 
rare or are more or less confined to the wilder 
wastes where their depredations can do the husband- 
man the least harm. Even those that do occur 
occasionally about cultivation are generally wary 
enough to keep away from the immediate vicinity of the habitations. 
Figure 211 
Toothed bill of Falcon. 
Gyrfalcons 
General Description. The largest of the falcons, 20 to 22 inches in length; usually 
ofdight coloration, in some cases nearly pure white, others almost black. They are most 
a. White Gyrfalcon. 
76916—10* 
Figure 212 
Crowns of Gyrfalcons. 
b and c. Variations of American Gyrfalcons. 
