BIRDS. 319 



and the old birds from that time deserted the mountain.* 

 A similar mode of destruction has been resorted to at times 

 in other localities ; and this, no doubt, suggested to Campbell 

 the splendid description of tlie burning eyrie, in the Wizard's 

 prophetic warning to Lochiel.f 



The true Falcons are distinguished by the 

 upper mandible of the bill being strongly 

 toothed {Fig. 259) ; by the short, strong 

 legs ; the feet with retractile claws of nearly 

 equal size ; and the relative proportions of 

 the principal quill-feathers of the wing, the 

 second being the longest. Six species are '^' ^^^' 



recorded as British : ;J: we shall select for description that 

 which is the most celebrated, the Peregrine Falcon (Falco 

 peregrinus). It breeds in rocky districts, and has a wide 

 geographical range. In the British Islands it is found in 

 Scotland, in Wales, in Devonshire and Cornwall ; and in other 

 localities where there are high rocks adjacent to the coast. 

 In some parts of Ireland it is not uncommon. "In the four 

 maritime counties of Ulster it has many eyries ; and in Antrim, 

 whose basaltic precipices are favourable for the purpose, seven 

 at least might be enumerated. "§ But notwithstanding its 

 predilection for the coast, this bird frequents occasionally 

 more inland localities ; and Sir J. Sebright states, that num- 

 bers of them take up their abode at Westminster Abbey, and 



* Thompson. 



t We subjoin a portion of the passage referred to: — 



" Ha ! laugh'st thou, Lochiel, my vi<ion to scorn ? 

 Proud bird of the mountain, thy plume shall be tom ! 

 Say, rush'd the bold Eagle exultingly forth, 

 From his home in the dark-rolling clouds of the north? 

 Lo ! the death-shot of foemen outspecding, he rode 

 Companionless, bearing destruction abroad : 

 But down, let him stoop from his havoc on high ! 

 Ah ! home let him speed — for the spoiler is nigh. 

 Why flames the far summit? — why shoot to the blast 

 Those embers like stars from the firmament cast ? 

 'Tis the fire shower of ruin, all dreadfully driven 

 From his eyrie that beacons the darkness of heaven." 



X They are the Jer Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, the Hobby, the Orange- 

 legged Hobby, the Merlin, and the Kestrel. The last, Mr. Thompson 

 remarks, " is common an<l resident in Ireland, and is of more frequent 

 occurrence than any of the Falconidce," 



§ Thompson. 



