58o 



REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



The Falcon is gifted with a more remarkable degree of longevity 

 than even the Eagle. It is reported that in 1797, at the Cape of 

 Good Hope, a Falcon was caught which showed no signs of decre- 

 pitude, and which had on a golden collar with an inscription stating 

 that in 1 6 10 it belonged to James I., King of England ; it was there- 

 fore over 187 years old. 



The parent birds exhibit the greatest attachment to their young 

 until they are able to provide for themselves : when that stage of 

 maturity arrives they are driven forth. 



Fig. 268. Merlins. 



The Peregrine Falcon is found among the cliffs of Normandy. 



There are other species of Falcons smaller than the preceding. 

 They are only distinguished from them by their size ; their habits are 

 identical, except that they prey on smaller birds, such as quails, larks, 

 swallows, and sometimes insects. These species are : the Hobby 

 (Hypotriorchis subbuteo, Fig. 267), which is found all over Europe, 

 and also in Africa it is about a foot in height; the -Merlin (Hypo- 

 triorchis cesalon, Fig. 268), which is not much larger than a Thrush, 

 and in summer inhabits the north and in winter the south of 

 Europe; the Kestrel (Tinnunculus alaudarius, Fig. 269), which owes 

 its name to its sharp cry it is thirteen inches in height, and is 



