FALCON AND FLYCATCHER 



43 



FALCON, PEREGRINE (Falco peregrimis) 



Local Names. — Black-Backed Falcon, Blue-Backed Falcon, Blue 

 Hawk, Cliff Hawk, Duck Hawk, Haggard Falcon, Lamer, 

 Passage Hawk, Red Falcon, Spotted Falcon, Tassel. 



Haunt. — High cliffs bordering the sea, and mountains. 



Nesting Period. — April to June. 



Site of Nest. — Inaccessible ledges of rocks and sea cliffs. 



Materials Used. — Sticks, straw, bents, and rabbit flick. 



Eggs. — Four. Reddish-brown, closely speckled and blotched with 

 darker variegations. 



Food. — Grouse, snipe, young sea and other birds. 



Voice. — A squeak something like that of the Sparrow Hawk. 



Chief Features. — Our most beautiful British Falcon, but by no 

 means well distributed. Greatly persecuted in many instances 

 where its eyries are known. A graceful bird on the wing, with 

 remarkable powers of endurance. 



Plumage. — Dark bluish-grey above, with bands of a darker hue; 

 bluish-black head, and moustaches which descend from the 

 gape; white underneath; transverse bars of brown on breast; 

 blue beak, growing darker towards the tip; cere yellow; dark- 

 brown iris; yellow feet; black claws. The plumage of female 

 is tinged with brown, and underneath with reddish-yellow. 

 Length. — The male is fifteen inches, and his mate two inches 

 longer. 



FLYCATCHER, PIED (Muscicapa atricapilla) 



Local Names. — Coal Finch, Cold Finch, Epicurean Warbler. 

 Haunt. — Woods, copses, and the 



like. 

 Nesting Period. — May and June. 

 Site of Nest. — Holes in decayed 



trees. 

 Materials Used. — Leaves, hay, 



and bark, with hair and 



feather lining. 

 Eggs. — Five. Very pale greenish- 

 blue. 

 Food. — Insects. 

 Voice. — Alarm - note, " chuck, 



chuck," and a subdued, 



pleasant song. 

 Chief Features. — Not nearly so common as the next species, but 



easily distinguished by different plumage. Very local in dis- 



Fig. ii. Pied Flycatcher. 



