226 REMIXISCENCES OF A SPORTSMAX. 



fine cast of hawks taken on those rocks, which belong 

 to his family. Sir John Sebright observes that "slight 

 falcons take up their abode every year, from October to 

 November until the spring, upon Westminster Abbey, 

 and upon other churches in the metropolis ; this is well 

 known to the London pigeon fanciers, from the great 

 havoc they make in their flight." We ourselves know 

 that one was killed in the neighbourhood of the metropolis 

 in 1837. The lanner and lanneret are without doubt the 

 male and female peregrine falcon. The action of the 

 peregrine falcon is thus described by Mr. Macgillivray : 

 '^ Its direct flight is extremely rapid, is performed by 

 quick beats of the wings, and is very similar to that of 

 the rock pigeon. When proceeding in haste from its 

 breeding place, or roosting station, towards a distant 

 part of the country, it very seldom sails, or moves 

 forward at intervals with extended wings ; but when 

 sauntering, as it were, about its retreat, it employs both 

 modes of flight, as it also does in common with any 

 other hawk, when searching for prey. Yet it is hardly 

 ever seen to float or sail along in circles, as eagles, 

 buzzards, and harriers are wont to do, but performs its 

 short gyrations as if in haste, and the moment an oppor- 

 tunity occurs comes down upon its prey, either in a 

 curved sweep or like a stone falling from the air. In 

 the choice of its food this author hints that he shows 

 a decided predilection for wild game, seldom regaling 

 upon' the feathered produce of the farm-yard. It riots 

 among the moor fowl ; and as a proof of its powers the 

 keeper of the Bass Eock informed Mr. Macgillivray 

 that he had found an entire blackcock in the nest of 

 this falcon. From the remnants left around their nests, 

 it appears that grouse, partridges, plovers, ducks, auks. 



