Vol. xpil.j lj, Souef, Food of Diurnal Birds of Prey. ^5 



Grallina was ha\'ing a perilous passage when it left the tree and 

 deliberately flew to a cow that was lying near by and took shelter 

 under the animal's body, quite defeating the efforts of the 

 would-be assassins, who flew away to a neighbouring tree. After 

 remaining quiet for a time the Grallina came out from its cover 

 and sat on the cow's back, only to be attacked, when it im- 

 mediatel}- sought the animal's protection again. While all the 

 fuss was going on several other Grallinas in an adjoining tree were 

 shrieking cries of distress, and I quite expected the Falcon to 

 attack them when it found itself foiled : however, it simply flew 

 awa\". I have seen two similar encounters with Roscllas {Platy- 

 cercus pallidiceps), and on each occasion the Parrot took refuge 

 under our house, which is built on g-feet piles, to evade its 

 pursuers. However, the most exciting encounter I ever saw 

 was not long ago, when a Little Falcon attempted to kill a 

 Magpie {Gymnorhina) — a large order for such a small bird, and it 

 was onl\- Maggie's cleverness in dodging among the branches that 

 ga\'e liim any chance at all. I was standing near by, and had n\\ 

 gun (only wish it had been a Kodak instead), and I was struck 

 with the desperate nature of the handsome little murderer, who 

 was in an exhausted condition, and Maggie was done also. When 

 I walked up neither troubled about moving, but both stood with 

 wings and legs half extended, beaks wide open, and sides heaving 

 heavily. It would have made a most interesting picture. I 

 have not seen this Falcon for months, and apparentlv they come 

 singly ; but what a commotion they make when they do come ! " 

 My own experiences in birds of prey are very similar to those 

 of my Victorian friends cited above. These birds are often 

 accused of killing Carrier or Homing Pigeons, but the Harriers, 

 Kites, and Brown Hawks could not catch these fast-travelling 

 birds, nor could a Whistling or Little Eagle, but a Falcon or 

 Goshawk probably could. Regarding Eagles killing lambs, 

 personally I have never seen it, and have met with very few who 

 actually have. Seeing an Eagle eating a dead lamb does not 

 for a moment assert that the Eagle killed it. I have seen Eagles 

 catch rabbits, and it has usually been by the head, the claws 

 penetrating the brain and causing instant death. 



Regarding birds of prej' and their food, it is interesting to note 

 how the Egyptians valued these birds, especially the Kestrel 

 Hawk, so much so that they made it sacred, Horus being their 

 Hawk-headed god, and that deity was usually very prominent. 

 When one remembers the utility of these birds to the Egyptians 

 when they were attacked by the locust plague, their value can 

 be realized. They, as well as the Ibis, whicli is also a sacred bird, 

 were mummified. The two illustrations produced are from 

 specimens 1 have in my own office of the Kestrel and Peregrine 

 Falcon ; the latter has the outer covering removed, so that the 

 actual feathers show. Both of these birds were mummified 

 approximately 3,000 years ago. We know the value of the Kestrel 

 in our own country, but do not take the same trouble to preserve 

 them as the Egyptians did. 



