164 FALCO peregrines: 



'■' Behind him rode two gallant squires^ 

 Of noble name, and knightly sires ; — 

 Four men-at-arms came at their backs.. 



With halbert, bill, ami battle-ase ; 



Last, twenty yeomen, two and two. 



In hosen black, and jerkins blue, 



With falcons broidered on each breast. ' 



But the career of the mailed maulers has long ago 

 terminated, and the falconers have been converted in- 

 to cotton-spinners, although the world is not much 

 better than before. Even at the present day, however, 

 a few tamed falcons may be found in the land, although 

 no man beni on slaughter M'ould exchange a double- 

 barrelled IManton, with its; appurtenances, for a whole 

 covey of kites, kestrels, and peregrines, with hoods 

 and bells to the bargain. 



The direct flight of the peregrine falcon,^ which is 

 extremely rapid, is performed by quick beats of the 

 wing, and is very similar to tha=t of the rock pigeon. 

 When proceeding in haste from its breeding place or 

 roosting station towards a distant part of the country, 

 it very seldom sails, or moves forward at intervals with 

 extended wings ; but when sauntering as it were about 

 its retreat, it employs both modes of flight, as it also 

 does, in common with many other hawks, when search- 

 ing for prey. Yet it is hardly ever seen to float or sail 

 along in circles, as eagles, buzzards, and harriers are 

 wont to do, but performs its short gyrations as if in 

 haste, and the moment an opportunity occurs, comes 

 down upon its prey, either in a curved sweep, or like 

 a stone falling from the air. 



Its food consists of birds of moderate size, such as^ 

 red grouse, partridges, plovers, ducks, auks, guillemots-. 



