150 THE PEREGRINE FALCOff. 



a broad, spiral circuit, to attain a sufficient elevation to 

 enable it to reconnoiter a certain space below. It then 

 emits a cry much resembling that of the Sparrow Hawk, 

 but greatly louder, like that of the European Kestrel, and 

 flies off quickly in quest of plunder. The search is often 

 performed with a flight resembling that of the tame Pigeon, 

 until perceiving an object, it redoubles its flappings, and 

 pursues the fugitive with a rapidity scarcely to be conceived. 

 Its turnings, windings and cuttings through the air are now 

 surprising. It follows and nears the timorous quarry at 

 every turn and back-cutting which the latter attempts. 

 Arrived within a few feet of the prey, the Falcon is seen 

 protruding his powerful legs and talons to their full stretch, 

 His wings are for a moment almost closed; the next instant 

 he grapples the prize, which, if too weighty to be carried off 

 directly, he forces obliquely toward the ground, sometimes 

 a hundred yards from where it was seized, to kill it and 

 devour it on the spot. Should this happen over a large 

 extent of water, the Falcon drops his prey and sets off in 

 quest of another. On the contrary, should it not prove too 

 heavy, the exulting bird carries it off to a sequestered and 

 secure place. He pursues the smaller Ducks, Water-hens, 

 and other swimming birds, and if they are not quick in 

 diving, seizes them, and rises with them from the water. I 

 have seen this Hawk come at the report of a gun and carry 

 off a Teal, not thirty steps distant from the sportsman who 

 had killed it, with a daring assurance as surprising as unex- 

 pected. This conduct has been observed by many individ- 

 uals, and is a characteristic trait of the species. The largest 

 Duck that I have seen this bird attack and grapple with on 

 the wing is the Mallard. 



"The Great-footed Hawk does not, however, content 

 himself with water-fowl. He is generally seen following 



