S°m« A* c . Bds. Soutk. 
A. Hmgmrm,, ed. by 
Falco rusticolus. Gray Gyrfalcon. — [From skins that have been 
sent to me by Mr. Hagerup, and which have been examined with Mr. 
William Brewster’s assistance, it is evident that it is to the above species 
the birds Mr. Hagerup writes of must be referred.— M. C.] 
Gyi falcons reside during the entire year in southern Greenland and 
breed there, but are met with near the settlement more frequently in 
winter than in summer; in the latter season they are quite rare. 
On June 3, i886 ; Mr. Hagerup shot a female in gray plumage with a naked 
breeding-spot on the breast. In its stomach were feathers and claws of 
Ptarmigan. The length of this bird was 23 inches, Danish. On August 
11 a dark-colored specimen was obtained which measured 19I inches. One 
or two more in dark plumage were seen during the summer. In winter 
many came from the north, the first, in 1886, appearing on November 24. 
In his notes Mr. Hagerup writes : — In November five were seen — all white ; 
in December fifteen or twenty — only one of these was dark-colored; in 
January twelve — two were dark ; in February none; in March two — white; 
in April four two dark. ’ From these and other observations Mr. Hagerup 
has concluded that the white form (F. islaiidus ) predominates i n winter 
and the gray form (F. rusticolus ) in summer. 
These Falcons, like the Eagle, are most frequently seen along the upper 
portion of the fjord after gales or snowstorms. 
Mr. Hagerup writes that his Pigeons are very much afraid of these 
Falcons and on the approach of their dreaded enemy seek the nearest hid- 
ing place, but when there is no opportunity to hide they escape by flight, 
mounting into the air to a great height. It is a grand sight to watch a 
fierce Falcon chasing a Pigeon through mid-air. As yet, none of the Pigeons 
have been caught; they seem to understand just how to avoid the Falcon, 
but it is reported that sometimes young birds have been thus preyed upon. 
Those who have watched both the Gyrfalcon and the Peregrine while 
chasing Pigeons consider that the latter has much the swifter flight and is 
the more dexterous. During these chases the Falcons often come within 
gun-shot, but the flight is so swift it is difficult to hit them. 
At times the Falcon is followed by a Raven or two, and they swoop after 
each other, but this seems to be a mere matter of play. 
Mr. Hagerup once saw a large Gyrfalcon in very dark plumage on the 
ice eating a sea-bird. The Falcon flew to the land with his prey and soon 
a white-plumaged bird of this same genus came down from the mountain 
and appeared desirous to join in the feast, but kept at a respectful distance. 
When the dark bird was approached by the gunner it flew off, carrying its 
unfinished meal, and the white bird followed steadily on — moving as the 
location of the feast was moved. 
The cry of these Falcons, which is often heard when two or more are 
in company, is reported by Mr. Hagerup as ‘‘a not loud, quivering, length- 
ened tune, much resembling that of Falco tinnunculus .” 
In 1886 a nest containing three eggs was reached by a Greenlander, 
on a cliff near Frederickshaab. Mr. Hagerup was informed by Director 
Moller that this nest was placed on a perpendicular cliff, but a snow drift 
sloping advantageously enabled the man to reach it. 
Ank.Yi.Oct. , 1880 . 3 . 
)Z 
