186 BIRDS. RAPACES. 



Inhabits the mountainous countries of Europe, and preys on grouse, pheasants, and 

 partridges. Various instances are recorded of the rapidity of its flight. Thus, one 

 that eloped from its master, in the county of Forfar, on the 24th of September 1772i 

 with four heavy bells at its feet, was killed on the morning of the 26th of the same 

 month at Mostyn, in Flintshire. Another, belonging to a Duke of Cleves, flew 

 out of Westphalia into Prussia in one day ; and in the county of Norfolk one was 

 known to make a flight at a woodcock at the rate of nearly thirty miles in an hour. 

 The female peregrine falcon is, in the terms of falconry, always called Falcon, 

 while the male is denominated Tercel; and, when thoroughly bred, they are called 

 Gentil or Gentle Hawks. 



F. subbuteo, Lath. The Hobby. Throat white,, with a large black 

 band extending on the white parts of the sides of the neck ; upper 

 part of the body bluish black ; lower parts whitish, with longi- 

 tudinal black spots ; bill bluish; cere, eyelids, and feet yellow ; 

 iris brown; wings extending beyond the extremity of the tail. 

 About 14 inches long. Selby, Illust. pi. 16. 



This is a migratory species, arriving in England in April for the purpose of in- 

 cubation, and leaving the country in October for warmer latitudes. Its favourite prey 

 is the lark. When falconry was in fashion the hobby was trained to the pursuit of 

 young partridges, snipes, and larks. 



F. cesalon, Tern. (F. ccesius Meyer.) The Merlin or Stone Falcon. 

 Cere and legs yellow ; head ferruginous, body bluish-gray, with 

 ferruginous spots and streaks above ; yellowish -red, with oblong 

 spots below j wings ending at two-thirds of the length of the 

 tail. About 12 inches long Selby, Illust. pi. 18. 



F. caesius, Meyer ; F. lithofalco, Gmel. ; Le Rochier, Buff. The young, L'e- 

 merillon, Buff. ; Sparviere smeriglio, Stor. 



The Merlin is a migratory species, resorting to the north in spring, and returning 

 to the south on the approach of winter. According to Mr Pennant it does not breed 

 in England ; but in Northumberland Colonel Montagu found three young ones 

 about half-grown in the middle of a high clump of heath, in which they were so 

 well concealed that they would not have been discovered but for a setting dog, 

 which made a point at them. 



F. iinnunculusj Lin. The Kestril. Wings ending at three-fourths 

 of the length of the tail ; upper part of the plumage of the male 

 variegated with numerous black spots ; wing-feathers banded in- 

 teriorly ; claws constantly black. Fourteen inches long. Inha- 

 bits Europe. B Selby, Illust. pi. 17- 



The young, F. bruneus, Bechst. ; F. fasciatus, Retz. 



The Kestril is by far the most elegant of the small British hawks. The eggs, 

 which are four or five in number, are rather inferior in size to those of the sparrow- 

 hawk, and of a dirty white, blotched with rust-colour of various shades, and some- 

 times wholly covered with a deep rusty red. It is a common inhabitant of our 

 rocky coasts, or in high or ruinous towers. Its prey is moles, field-mice, frogs, and 

 small birds, on which it darts like an arrow. When taken young it is easily tamed. 



F, tinnunculoides, Natterer. Wings ending at the extremity of the 

 tail ; upper part of the plumage and quill-feathers of the male 

 without spots ; claws pure white. Inhabits Europe. Tern. 31. 



F. nifipes, Bechst. Principal colours of a more or less deep blu- 

 ish ; cere and feet red ; claws yellow. Common in Russia and 

 Poland. Lath. Ind. 46. 



F. vespertiuus, Gmel. ; Le Kober, Son. ; Ingrian Falcon, Lath. 





