FALCON AND WILD FOWL. 15 



CHAPTER II. 



" Quam facile accipiter saxo, sacer ales, ab alto 

 Consequitur pennis sublimem in nube columbam, 

 Comprensamque tenet, pedibusque eviscerat uncis : 

 Turn cruor et vulsse labuntur ab eethere plumse." 



VIRGIL. 



Peregrine Falcon Truthfulness of Virgil's Description 

 Haunts of the Peregrine Hereditary Dominions 

 Extensive Geographical Distribution Grouse and Pere- 

 grine Incident in Ireland Paradise for Wild Fowl 

 The Falcon's Watch-tower Disappointment Change 

 of Tactics Attack and Pursuit Unsuccessful Swoop 

 Chase continued Death of the Mallard The Rod and 

 the Gun Falcon and Teal. 



How obviously has ' the poet of nature ' 

 pointed to the peregrine in this passage ; although 

 certain learned systematists in compliance, no 

 doubt, with the imperious necessities and refine- 

 ments of modern classification have deprived 

 him of one of his ancient titles (accipiter) and 

 conferred it on the ignoble sparrowhawk, whose 

 short wings and general conformation are better 

 adapted to a denizen of the lower regions of the 

 air and of the woods, than of the clouds or the 



