116 NATURAL HISTORY 



may not retire into that element, yet they 

 may conceal themselves in the banks of 

 pools and rivers during the uncomfortable 

 months of Winter. 



One of the keepers of Wolmer-forest sent 

 me a peregrine falcon, which he shot on the 

 verge of that district as it was devouring a 

 wood-pigeon. The falco peregrinus, or 

 haggard falcon, is a noble species of hawk 

 seldom seen in the southern counties. In 

 Winter 1767 one was killed in the neigh- 

 bouring parish of Faringdon, and sent by 

 me to Mr. Pennant into North Wales.* 

 Since that time I have met with none till 

 now. The specimen mentioned above was 

 in fine preservation, and not injured by 

 the shot : it measured forty-two inches 

 from wing to wing, and twenty-one from 

 beak to tail, and weighed two pounds and 

 a half standing weight. This species is 

 very robust, and wonderfully formed for 

 rapine : its breast was plump and muscular ; 

 its thighs long, thick, and brawny; and 

 its legs remarkably short and well-set : the 

 * See my tenth and eleventh letter to that gentleman. 



