gerfalcon (jerfa kn)

[Also written gyr falcon, and formerly gerfaulcon, jerfalcon, gier falcon (after D. and G.); NGr. γιεράκι, a falcon), a name popularly a ociated with ἱερός, sacred, but in fact connected only remotely. The spelling gyrfalcon, ML. gyrofalco ( n- ), gyrofalcus, rests upon a false etymology, the name being referred to L. gyrus, a circle, gyrare, turn round in a circle (see gyre ), in supposed reference to its circling flight; but a circling flight is not peculiar to this falcon, and the ML. forms gyrofalco ( n- ), gerofalco ( n- ), etc., are plainly reflections of the Rom. forms.] A large falcon of arctic Europe, Falco gyrfalco, or one of other kinds of boreal falcons forming the subgenus Hierofalco, of large size, very robust or continental forms are mostly dark-colored, some of them quite blackish, but others are white, more or le spotted with a dusky color, as those of Iceland and Green land. Naturalists are not agreed whether there is but a single variable species or several; the latter opinion prevails. See falcon, Hierofalco. piece or figure, so prepared as to emit in burn-ganization, and highly raptorial nature. The ing a sheaf or shower of fire similar to that of the gerbe.