OF SELBORNE. 307 
PEREGRINE Fatcon, which he shot on the verge 
of that district, as it was devouring a wood-pigeon. 
The falco peregrinus, or haggard falcon, is a noble 
species of hawk, seldom seen in the southern coun- 
ties. In winter, 1767, one was killed in the neigh. 
bouring parish of Faringdon, and sent by me to 
Mr. Pennant into North Wales.* Since that time 
I have met with none till now. The specimen 
mentioned above was in fine preservation, and not 
injured by the shot: it measured forty-two inches 
from wing to wing, and twenty-one from beak to 
tail, and weighed two pounds and a half standing 
weight. This species is very robust, and wonder- 
fully formed for rapine: its breast was plump and 
muscular ; its thighs long, thick, and brawny; and 
its legs remarkably short and well-set: the feet 
were armed with most formidable, sharp, long 
talons; the eyelids and cere of the bill were yel. 
low, but the irides of the eyes dusky; the beak 
was thick and hooked, and of a dark colour, and 
* See Letters X. and XI., Part I. 
