FALCON. RAPTORES. FALCO. 41 



inaccessible situations are always selected for its eyry, and Nest, &c. 

 its nest is placed upon the shelf of a rock. It lays four or 

 five eggs, in colour very similar to those of the Kestrel, but 

 considerably larger. 



In America it has a very wide distribution, being found 

 in both divisions of that continent, and in a great variety of 

 latitude, as it changes its hunting grounds with the season. 

 In summer its range extends to Hudson's Bay and Melville 

 Peninsula, from whence specimens were brought by Captain 

 PARRY, and where it preys chiefly upon the water-fowl, par- 

 ticularly the Long-tailed Duck (Havelda glacialis). Captain 

 KING also met with it at Port Famine, in the Straits of Ma- 

 gellan ; and the species appears to be the same in New Hol- 

 land. 



In daring disposition it equals most of its congeners, and 

 many interesting traits in its history are related by different 

 writers, amongst which, some in the Supplement to the Or- 

 nithological Dictionary will well reward the reader's atten- 

 tion*. 



I may be allowed to add the following instance, as having 

 happened under my own observation, and as exemplifying 

 not only its determined perseverance in pursuit of its prey, 

 when under the pressure of hunger, but as arguing also an 

 unexpected degree of foresight. 



In exercising my dogs upon the moors, previous to the 

 commencement of the shooting season, I observed a large 

 bird of the Hawk genus hovering at a distance, which, upon 

 approaching, I knew to be a Peregrine Falcon. Its atten- 

 tion was now drawn towards the dogs, and it accompanied 

 them, whilst they beat the surrounding ground. Upon their 

 having found, and sprung a brood of grouse, the falcon 

 immediately gave chase, and struck a young bird, before they 

 had proceeded far upon wing. My shouts and rapid advance 

 prevented it from securing its prey. The issue of this at- 



* See MONTAGU, SuppL, under the head Falcon Peregrine. 



