THE BIRDS USED IN HAWKING 17 



moult the brown of the whole upper plumage is replaced by a 

 slatey blue, each feather from the shoulders to the end of the 

 tail barred transversely and tipped more or less distinctly with 

 a lighter shade of blue-grey. The slate colour on the crown 

 and side of the head, including the moustache, is of a dark hue. 

 The under plumage, instead of being streaked longitudinally 

 with brown, becomes at the first moult spotted and splashed 

 with markings of dark grey, which are partly transverse and 

 partly shaped like an arrow-head or tear-drop, especially on 

 the throat and gorge. At each successive moult these spots 

 and markings become more transverse and bar-like, and also 

 narrower and more sparse on the parts nearest the chin, until 

 in very old birds they disappear on the chin and throat, leaving 

 a blank surface of pure creamy white. Even before the first 

 moult the feet and legs begin to assume a yellow colour ; and 

 by the time the first moult is over, they and the cere and 

 eyelids have changed to a more or less decided yellow, which 

 as the bird grows old develops into a rich gold. 



Both sexes undergo the same changes in plumage, but it 

 should be said that these hawks at all ages vary considerably in 

 size and shape, and still more in their colouring. It is not 

 unusual to see an eyess which has the head and parts of the 

 upper plumage nearly black, while the brown of others at the 

 same age is as light as cocoa, with buff edgings. Some detailed 

 remarks as to the size and shape of peregrines and other hawks 

 will be found in Chapter xviil., where it will be seen that some 

 are of much more prepossessing appearance than others. 



Speaking generally, the peregrine may be regarded as the 

 most perfect type of combined strength, speed, and destructive 

 power in birds. The proportions are such as could not be 

 altered with any advantage, and adapt the hawk to a greater 

 variety of flight than any other. This reason, and the fact 

 that it is to be found in almost all parts of the habitable world, 

 have always made it a favourite with falconers ; and at the 

 present day it is more highly esteemed in Europe than any 

 other, even including the nobler gers. 



The female — to which sex alone falconers allow the applica- 

 tion of the name of falcon — may be flown with success in this 

 country at herons, gulls of all kinds, ducks of all kinds, crows, 

 rooks, grouse, black-game, partridge, pheasant, woodcock, land- 

 rail, Norfolk plover, curlew, and other sea birds of about 

 the same size, magpies, wood-pigeons, and doves. She may 

 also generally, if desired, be taught to fly at hares, and no 

 doubt at rabbits. Occasionally she may take plovers and 



2 



