168 BRITAIN^S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 



of its aerial powers, and it has besides an obviously 

 enormous degree of actual strength. 



' The most powerful bird for its bulk that flies ' is the 

 just verdict of a famous scientist. And indeed we may 

 safely say that as a mere mechanical triumph of design, 

 for strength and speed combined with accuracy, small 

 bulk, and graceful lines, the Peregrine Falcon stands 

 unsurpassed among the creations of nature or of man. 

 Certainly it is unrivalled in this respect as the finest 

 member of our avifauna ; it is not only proportion- 

 ately but absolutely the first, without restriction of size. 

 Some larger birds are stronger, some smaller ones are 

 swifter ; but none possesses so perfect a compromise and 

 combination, or such 'all-round'' efficiency. None could 

 hope to meet it in the air on equal terms and come 

 off victor. It can choose its victims almost without 

 restriction, and it has no enemies, bird or beast, but man. 

 None but he dare rob its eyrie ; none but he can take 

 it by cunning, or slay it openly in full flight. Even 

 the Eagle would pursue it in vain, and at times must 

 even go in fear of the swift and deadly onslaught of a 

 bird so much smaller than itself. Not, of course, that 

 the Falcon presumes to hunt the so-called King of Birds ; 

 but if the latter pass by chance too near the Falcon's 

 eyrie it will be fiercely harassed, and made to scream and 

 yelp and throw itself into postures of defence, while it 

 quickly escapes from the jealously guarded area. In 

 justice to the Eagle, be it said that it could also put to 

 flight a Peregrine encroaching in turn on its territory ; 

 for birds have no false notions of valour, and are not 

 ashamed to retreat from a battlefield where they have in 

 any event nothing but a ' bubble reputation ' to gain. 

 But in such a case the Falcon could retire by skilful 

 manceuvrine without fear of hurt. 



