136 FAUNA OF SHROPSHIRE. 



nest, for their beaks were encrusted with wax. In a 

 M.S. book of Mr. Rocke's is a note to the effect that 

 a pair of Honey Buzzards were taken in Ferney Hall 

 Dingles, June 2nd, 1865; both were trapped at a 

 pheasant's nest within a few hours of one another. 

 When first seen they were in the act of destroying the 

 eggs, five of which they had carried out and broken. 

 On dissecting the female is was found that the ovaries 

 were much enlarged, one egg was ready for extrusion, 

 and there was little doubt that one or two eggs had 

 been laid previously. Mr. Shaw also stated that it 

 had bred in Shropshire. (Ibis, 1865, page 13). 



PEREGRINE FALCON B. This handsome bird was 

 Falco pevegvinus. the one chiefly used in the ancient 



sport of Falconry. It breeds still in 

 North Wales, especially along the coasts, and every year 

 a few appear in Shropshire, generally immature birds, in 

 the autumn, and more females than males. No recent 

 instance is known of its nesting here. The Peregrine 

 Falcon shown on page 106, was shot near Shrewsbury, 

 while in the act of devouring the partridge on the 

 ground at her feet. One of those in the Hawkstone collec- 

 tion was shot while perching on the top of St. Chad's 

 Church, Shrewsbury, eating a Coot which it had killed. 



Iceland Falcon. Mr. Rocke states that a pair of these fine 

 F. islandicus. Falcons was obtained near Leebot- 



wood, about 1860. The beautiful group of birds photo- 

 graphed on page 105 is at Clungunford, and shows 

 specimens of the Iceland, Greenland, and Gyr Falcons, 

 in various states of plumage a case of birds that is 

 probably unrivalled. 



