GENTLE FALCON. BUZZARD. KITE. 14-7 



belly are whitish, the legs short and yellow, and the toes 

 very long. 



The peregrine-falcon breeds in Wales and Scotland, and 

 even now is sometimes trained to the amusement of catch- 

 ing birds. Its flight is surprisingly rapid ; for one of 

 them, which had been trained by a gentleman in Angus- 

 shire, having escaped from him with two heavy bells 

 fastened to each foot, was killed in less than two days 

 afterwards near Mostyn, in Flintshire. 



THE GENTLE FALCON. 



This species is very elegantly formed. The head is of a 

 light rusty colour, with oblong blat k spots. The whole 

 breast and belly are white tinged with yellow, each feather 

 being marked with cordiform dusky spots pointed down- 

 wards. The back is brown ; and the quill feathers, which 

 are dusky, are barred on one side of their webs with 

 black, and on the other with white. The tail is marked 

 with four or five black and the same number of cinereous 

 bars. This is the falcon properly so called, and was 

 highly valued in former times. 



THE BUZZARD. 



The length of this bird is about twenty-two inches, and 

 the full expansion of its wings upwards of fifty. It is the 

 most common of all birds of the hawk kind in England. 

 It breeds in extensive woods, and lays two or three eggs. 

 Its colours are liable to considerable variations ; but it is 

 unnecessary to describe a bird so well known. 



The buzzard is very sluggish and inactive ; remaining 

 perched on the same bough for the greater part of the 

 day, and always near the same place. It feeds on birds, 

 rabbits, moles, and mice ; and, when impelled by hunger, 

 will make a meal on frogs, earth-worms, or any sort of 

 insects. 



THE KITE. 



The kite may be distinguished from all the rest of 'its 

 tribe by its forky tail ; as well as by its slow, equable, and 

 H 2 



