70 HILL BIRDS OF SCOTLAND 



ground beneath a small bow net, so arranged as to be 

 drawn over quickly by a long string attached to it. 

 This string stretches to a turf shelter, where the falconer 

 is concealed. 



Near the "shelter " a Butcher Bird is tied, and two pieces 

 of turf are set up so as to serve him as a retreat. Should 

 a Peregrine appear, even at a great distance, the Butcher 

 Bird utters piercing cries, and the Peregrine, attracted 

 to the spot by his shrieks, marks the pigeon, stoops down, 

 and, if all goes well, is secured in the net. From very 

 early times the sport of falconry has been practised 

 in this country. It was reckoned that a Falcon (the hen 

 Peregrine) was a match for a Heron, or for a Wild Goose, 

 while the Tiercel or male was more suited for Partridges 

 and smaller game. As showing the high prices given 

 for the Peregrine, it is chronicled that in the reign of 

 James II no less than £1000 was given for a pair of these 

 birds. In terms of falconry young Peregrines are known 

 as Red Hawks, adult birds as Haggards. Eyess is another 

 term for the Peregrine. 



Description. — In the male the crown, nape, hind neck, 

 and side of head to below the eye are black. Back, scapu- 

 lars, wing coverts, and secondaries dark slate blue with very 

 dark slate bars traversing them. Lower part of the back 

 considerably lighter in colour, becoming slate blue on the 

 rump and upper tail coverts, which have also darker cross- 

 bars. Primaries almost black, on terminal part edged 

 with white. Tail blackish, with broad bars of slate blue 

 at the base. Extreme tip of tail brownish white. Under 

 parts white, with a tinge of warm rufous. Throat and 

 upper breast with a few long markings. Rest of under 

 parts boldly barred with black. Cere and legs yellow. 

 Iris ])rown. Bill dark bluish horn colour, at base of a 

 light blue. Total length about 10 inches. Wing 12 inches. 

 The female is considerably larger than the male, but in 

 her plumage resembles him. 



