Volume 20, Plate III / Ornithology (Birds)

Jer Falcon

Falco Islandicus

A northern and maritime species of Iceland, Norway, Greenland, and the Arctic shores of America, this powerful falcon strays only rarely into Britain, where its nest has never been found. Resembling the Peregrine in manners but bolder, it nests on sea cliffs and preys on sea fowl and grouse; adults measure twenty to twenty-four inches, the mature bird nearly white with brown spotting above and feathered tarsi.