400 FAMILY FALCONID^E j PEREGRINE FALCON. 



curves, than in a straight line. The same may be observed in 

 the Swallow tribe, and in other birds with pointed wings. But 

 the form and position of the wings adapt these birds to wheel 

 about with great facility; and to gain a lofty elevation with 

 great rapidity, by flying against the wind. The attainment of 

 this elevation is the great object of the Falcon in the pursuit of 

 its prey ; and when it cannot succeed in coming\ip with the Bird 

 it is chasing by simple onward flight, it always turns towards 

 the wind, and is then seen to ascend almost perpendicularly. 

 This is on the principle of the composition of forces, which has 

 been elsewhere explained (MECHAN. PHILOS., 161) ; and which 

 is the same that raises the common paper kite, and keeps it 

 suspended in the air. For the position of the wings being 

 oblique, and the direction of the wind horizontal, the resulting 

 motion is vertical. When the requisite elevation has been 

 attained, the Falcon poises itself for a few seconds, and then 

 stoops, or darts downwards with great velocity, striking its prey 

 with its talons. 



366. One of the most beautiful and powerful species of the true 

 Falcons, is the Peregrine Falcon, which inhabits all the temperate 

 and colder parts of Europe, ranging from Iceland to the islands of 

 the Mediterranean ; frequenting high and rocky mountains, and 

 building its nest on the face of precipitous cliffs. It is an 

 extremely elegant bird ; the length of the female is about 16 or 

 17 inches ; and the extent of the wings somewhat more than 

 3 feet. It is met with on several parts of our own coasts, as 

 well as in the mountainous parts of Britain ; but it is rarely seen 

 in level districts, and never in the neighbourhood of marshy land. 

 The insulated rock on which Dumbarton Castle stands, has been 

 particularly noticed as a breeding-place of this species. It is an 

 extremely courageous Bird, and attacks other Birds of much larger 

 size. It will sometimes attack the Kite ; not, however, to destroy 

 it, but to compel it to yield up its prey. The Gallinaceous Birds, 

 such as Partridges, Pheasants, Quails, &c., furnish the chief 

 supplies of food to the Peregrine Falcon ; and from their heavy 

 flight, they become an easy prey to it. But it will also give 

 chase to Ducks, Pigeons, Snipes, and other Birds of much 



