[Viskyia Crow]

Finna looked up and met Ariston's gaze. Her look was a bit hawk-like itself. She certainly got directly to the point. Not afraid to discuss his handicap and the limitations it would cause, certainly meant there'd be other forthrightness forthcoming. Regardless, she was smart enough to realize he wasn't going to solve his missing arm problem over night, nor was it going to effect her class much. They'd simply have to work around things.

But he asked a question and so she felt the need to respond. "They are the largest of the falcons. I find them quite common on Demios. I'd imagine it is because of the abundance of cliffs for them to nest on, and because of the incredible thermals. You see, falcons are vastly different than hawks. Many people practice falconry with hawks, owls, even eagles. But to hunt truly, you have to hone your skill on falcons. They are the hardest and thus most challenging to control. Look at Armega's form." Finna outstretched her arm and gave it a sharp shake. The bird unfolded its wings, shrieked slightly and showed off its wingspan without launching from her arm. It was obviously practiced.

"Gyrfalcons have narrow tapered wings like all falcons do. Hawks has thicker wings with longer feathers that hold more air. They glide and rely on their backbeats to catch prey... mice rabbits anything they can find. Falcons are different. They are hunters of the sky. They snatch prey out of the sky by diving on them normally without ever landing. Thats why their wings are smoother, tapered.. and when they fly you see a shallow V to their flight. Hawks have deeper V's and creatures like vultures and eagles have even deeper of a dihedral. Gyrfalcons are the most incredible of all falcons because they don't 'dive on their prey... they come up behind them and snatch them out of the sky. Most of what they eat finds its way into ther stomachs before the food can be completely slain. They are impatient sloppy hunters.... but really good at what they do." Fianna added, smiling slightly as she stroked her bird to calmness by gently touching its breast.

"As for birds on the island... the types vary. We are close enough to the mainland we get regular visitors and a population that is transitory. But in general, I've counted 7 hawk types, 6 falcon types, 2 sparrow hawks, and 4 eagle species. Its subject to change seasonally though. Demios even has a unique species of falcon... a blue coastal. They are a smaller falcon but lovely beyond belief. I hope to show you one." Finna answered, then watched Ariston for for his reaction. "Any more questions about different kinds or the why and how of it?"