610 



RAPTOEES, OE BIEDS OF PEEY. 



The first two of these are very docile, and consequently were 

 eagerly sought after by falconers, who used them for pursuing 

 the Heron, Crane, and Stork. An ancient Danish law, which 

 was repealed in 1758, forbade, under pain of death, the destruc- 

 tion of these birds. 



The Lanner Falcon (Buifon) is about the same size as the 

 White Gyrfalcon ; it is found in Hungary, Russia, Styria, and 

 Grreece, where it makes its appearance after the arrival of the 

 birds of passage. It is also easily trained for hawking. 



l''ig. 286. — Peregrine Falcon (^^ pfreifruiifs). 



The Sultan Falcon {F. peregrinator), Fig. 285, is larger than 

 the preceding species. It is found in Germany and Southern 

 Russia, Turkey, and Asia Minor. 



In the first rank of Falcons proper must be mentioned the 

 Peregrine Falcon (Fig. 286), often designated by the names of 

 the Common Falcon and the Passenger Falcon. As its name 

 sufficiently indicates, it is a bird of passage. It is common in the 

 centre and north of Western Europe, as well as in the islands of 

 the Mediterranean. It also inhabits North America, where it is 

 frequently called the Chicken-eater. 



The flight of the Peregrine Falcon is wonderfully rapid. One 



