206 Birds. 



country. It is found, more or less abundantly, through 

 out the whole of Europe, principally in the mountain 

 districts in North and South America, dwelling in the 

 clefts of rocks, especially such as are exposed to the mid- 

 day sun. It breeds upon the cliffs in several parts of 

 England, but appears to be more common in Scotland 

 and Wales. Its food consists principally of small birds ; 

 but it scruples not to attack the larger species, and some- 

 times gives battle even to the kite. Falcons rarely take 

 their prey upon the ground, like the more ignoble birds 

 of the class to which they belong ; but pounce upon it 

 from aloft, in a directly perpendicular descent as it flies 

 through the air, bear it downwards by the united im- 

 pulse of the strength and rapidity of their attack, and 

 sticking their talons into its flesh, carry it off in triumph 

 to the place of their retreat. Like most predatory 

 animals, they are stimulated to action by the pressure of 

 hunger alone, and remain inactive and almost motionless 

 while the process of digestion is going on, until the re- 

 newed cravings of their appetite stimulate them to fur- 

 ther exertion. In different stages of its growth, the Pere- 

 grine Falcon has been known by various English names. 

 Its proper appellation among falconers is the Slight- 

 Falcon, the term Falcon Gentle being equally applicable 

 to all the species when rendered manageable. In the im- 

 mature state, this Falcon is also called a Eed Hawk, from 

 the prevailing colour of its plumage. The male is called 

 a Tiercel, to distinguish it from the female, which, in the 

 Falcon tribe, is commonly one-third larger than the male. 



In China there is said to be a variety, which is mottled 

 with brown and yellow, and used by the emperor of China 

 in his sporting excursions, when he is usually attended 

 by his great falconer, and a thousand of inferior rank. 

 Every bird has a silver plate fastened to its foot, with 

 the name of the falconer who has the charge of it, that, 

 in case it should be lost, it may be restored to the proper 

 person ; but if it should not be found, the name is deli- 

 vered to another officer, called the guardian of lost birds, 

 who, to make his situation known, erects his standard in 

 a conspicuous place among the army of hunters. 



In Syria there is a species of Falcon, which the in- 



