CHAPTER V 



KINGS OF THE INFINITE 

 (The Peregrine) 



TO most people the peregrine falcon is little more 

 than a name on the list of our British wild birds, 

 but a name, nevertheless, which conjures up in the 

 mind visions of aloof and solitary grandeur, where the 

 noise of hurrying wheels is a thing unknown, and where 

 the mighty roar of the sea and the wild screaming of sea 

 birds are the only sounds to disturb the rugged solitude. 

 The peregrine is a world-wide wanderer to whom 

 distance is of little consequence — hence his name — yet he 

 is essentially a bird of the rocky fastnesses, and from the 

 grim grandeur of his surroundings he partakes in 

 character. There is, indeed, something specially attractive 

 in the character of this falcon. He is a falcon among 

 falcons. His ways are as open as the day, and his reckless 

 dash is unsurpassed in the bird world. No twihght robber 

 this. No sundowner. He bursts like a bolt from the 

 blue, and what he wants to do he does, heedless of all 

 onlookers. He meets his quarry on their own ground, 

 and beats them at their own splendid game, and among 

 all the members of his tribe the peregrine is probably 

 the least fearful of man. 



The eagle learns wisdom, and becomes wilder than 

 the wildest hare, and so, indeed, may a few peregrines, 

 but not many. When in pursuit of its quarry one of 

 these falcons will follow it into man's very midst, either 

 not seeing him, so intent does it become upon its business, 



89 



