9!L fHEFALCO]^. 



low; the irides of the eye dusky; and the whole plnmagA 

 of a whitish hue, marked with dark b'ues on the breast, and 

 dnsky spots on the back. 



The Peregrine Falcon^ which is the most common kind; 

 is as large as the moor buzzard. The bill is blue at iha 

 base, and black at the point; the head, back, scapuiSfc«, 

 and coverts of the wings are barred with deep black ai i 

 blue; the throat, neck, and upper part of the breast aift 

 white, tingixi with yellow; the bottom of the breast, belly, 

 and thighs are of a grayish white ; and the tail is black 

 and blue. 



Wilson enumerates no less than ten varieties, dependent 

 chiefly upon age, sex, and country. It is found, more or 

 less abundantly, throughout the whole of Europe, princi- 

 pally in the mountain districts in North, and probably 

 South America, and in New Holland, dwelling in the clefts 

 of rocks, especially such as are exposed to the mid-day sun. 

 It breeds upon the cliffs in several parts of England, but 

 appears to be more common in Scotland and Wales. Its 

 food consists principally of small birds ; but it scruples not 

 to attack the larger species, and sometimes gives battle 

 even to the kite. 



Falcons rarely take their prey upon the ground, like the 

 more ignoble birds of the class to which they belong; but 

 pounce upon it from aloft, in a directly perpendicular 

 descent as it flies through the air, bear it downwards by the 

 viited impulse of the strength and rapidity of their attack, 



