BIRDS OF PREY 157 



surface yellowish with dark brown longitudinal streaks. It builds its 

 nest in old walls, towers, and high trees. Its food consists principally 

 of insects which are injurious to agriculture (grasshoppers, mole- 

 crickets), while it is also a zealous pursuer of mice. The bird therefore 

 deserves protection rather than persecution. 



Its larger and stronger cousin, the Peregrine Falcon(F.peregrinu8), 

 on the other hand, is often very injurious to human interests. It will 

 even venture into large towns, in order to pursue pigeons. As it ranges 

 almost all over the world, it has good right to its name. 



The Hobby (F. subbuteo) is about equal to the kestrel in size, but is 

 superior in powers of flight. It pursues even the rapid swallow, and to 

 larks is the most deadly enemy. 



The Goshawk (Astur palumbarius) and the Sparrow-Hawk (Nisus 

 communis) will kill all animals of which they can obtain the mastery. 

 The sparrow-hawk has to 

 content itself with the 

 smaller birds and mam- 

 mals, but its larger and 

 stronger relative, the gos- 

 hawk, massacres birds of 

 all sizes from the blackcock 

 to the small song-birds, and 

 all mammals from a young 



deer down to a weasel or 



_. . _ SPARROW- HAWK DURING FLIGHT. 



mouse. Its impudent raids 



on our poultry-yards are well known. Both species are even more skilful 

 flyers than the buzzard, and can capture a bird on the wing. The 

 plumage in both species is ashy grey above ; the under surface in adult 

 males and old females is crossed by darker undulating streaks, and the 

 tail is ornamented with dark transverse bars. 



The Greenland Gyr- Falcon (Falco gyrfalcd), which breeds in high 

 northern latitudes, was much trained by falconers for the capture of 

 herons and pheasants. 



The Sea-Eagle (Pandion haliaetus) feeds exclusively on fish, and 

 accordingly inhabits districts well supplied with water. It usually roves 

 along close above the surface, and, if it descrys a prey, swoops down 

 upon it with the speed of an arrow. Its plumage is on this account 

 oily, and tightly fitted to the body. (Compare with kingfisher.) In 

 seizing its prey, the outer toe is directed backwards. (Why?) The 

 under surface of the toes is rough like a file, so that the most slippery 

 fish cannot escape from its grip. The plumage is brown above ; the 

 head, neck, and under surface are white with many brown spots. The 



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