THEFALCON. 33 



and sticking their talons into its flesh, carry it off in tri 

 umph to the place of their retreat. Like most predatory 

 animals, they are stimulated to action by the pressure of 

 hanger alone, and remain inactive and almost motionless 

 while the process of digestion is going on, and until the 

 renewed cravings of their appetite stimulate them to fur- 

 ther exertion. 



In difl'erent stages of its growth, the Peregrine Falcon 

 has been known by various English names. Its proper 

 appellation among falconers is the Slight Falcon, the term 

 Falcon Gentle being equally applicable to all the species 

 when rendered manageable. In the immature state, this 

 Falcon is also called a Red Hawk, from the prevailing 

 colour of its plumage. The male is called a Tiercel, to dis- 

 tinguish it from the female, which, in the Falcon tribe, is 

 most commonly one-third larger than the male. 



ILLUSTRATIVE ANECDOTES. 



In China there is said to be a variety which is mottled 

 with brown and yellow. These Mrds are said to be used 

 by the emperor of China in his sporting excursions, when 

 he is usually attended by his great falconer, and a thousand 

 of inferior rank. Every bird has a silver plate fastened to 

 its foot, with the name of the falconet- who has the cUarg* 

 of it, that, in case it should be lost, it may be restored to 

 tht) proper person; but if it should not be found, the name 

 fai delivered to another officer, called the guardian o^ 



