FALCONIDS. f 
enough to recognize it with certainty, make a dash 
at a flock of Purres; the Purres immediately opened 
right and left and made a broad passage for the 
hawk, who went completely through the flock, but 
Bed 3 in catching one. 
In the days of falconry the Peregrine Falcon was, 
with the exception of the Gyr Falcon, the most 
esteemed and sought after for that sport. Various 
technical names were given it, according to its age 
and sex; the female Peregrine, being the larger and 
more powerful bird, was exclusively called the 
Bsison; the male, which, as in most of the Fal- 
conide, is much smaller and less powerful than the 
female, is called the Tercel, Tiercel or ‘Tiercelet. 
‘The young birds were called Red Falcon or Red 
Tiercel, according as they were male or female, and 
the very young when in their down or nest-feathers 
were called Eyases. 
The food of the Peregrine Falcon consists mostly 
of various sptcies of birds, as Pigeons, Partridges, 
Ptarmigan, Grouse, Ducks, and various species of 
Sea-fowl, which form a plentiful supply when its 
nest or eyrie is established, as it frequently is, 
amongst the precipitous cliffs on the sea coast, 
which are also selected by these birds as a breeding 
station; rabbits and young hares also seem to form 
a part of its food.* The nest is usually placed on 
* Yarrell, p. 44. 
