THE FALCONS. I 83 



as distinct, but they can never be considered more than races 

 of the ordinary Peregrine, for our European bird varies greatly 

 in the colour of the face, having; the sides of the latter some- 

 times white, and sometimes entirely black, while the amount 

 of rufous on the under surface of the body also varies greatly, 

 being more rufous in some individuals than others. Thus 

 examples from Greenland and those from Egypt are very 

 richly tinted, and it is supposed that the abundance of ducks 

 and other prey has something to do with their finer appear- 

 ance. 



Habits. — From its bold spirit and fiery dash, the Peregrine 

 Falcon has always been considered the best bird for the pur- 

 poses of Falconry, not only in Europe, but also in the countries 

 of the East. 



In a wild state the Peregrine feeds on all kinds of game, 

 rabbits, grouse, partridges, pigeons, and largely on ducks, 

 water-fowl, and sea-birds, and for the sake of the abundance 

 of the latter its eyrie is often found on the rocky cliffs, where 

 Puffins and Guillemots congregate. Sometimes, when bringing 

 food to its young, it will, apparently for mere wantonness, strike 

 down a Gull or Puffin that happens to fly in its path, and send 

 the bird headlong into the sea below. Choughs, Rooks, and 

 Magpies are also captured by the Falcons. 



The nesting-place is tenanted year after year, and if one of 

 the birds be shot or trapped, the survivor is not long in finding 

 another mate. The breeding-season commences in April. 



Nest. — In this country the nest of the Peregrine Falcon is to 

 be found in high and almost inaccessible cliffs, a mere hollow 

 being formed, without any real attempt at a nest, but in other 

 countries, the old nest of a Rook or Heron, or some other bird, 

 in a tree, is selected, while in the north of Europe the bird 

 nests on the ground in the open. Beyond the debris of cast- 

 up pellets, bones of birds and animals, and a few scattered 

 feathers, nothing like a real nest is ever found. 



Eggs — Two or three, and sometimes four in number. The 

 eggs of the Peregrine are richly clouded with some shade of 

 chestnut, over which are some mottlingsof darker rufous, often 

 almost black in intensity. Sometimes the colour is uniform 



