FALCONIDJL 19 



and the larger species of insects. In confinement however 

 they will not generally refuse food newly killed ; but if 

 tainted, or strongly scented, some will reject it. 



THE GYR-FALCON. Falco Islandicus. This bold and 

 beautiful bird is only known, we believe, in the British 

 islands as an occasional and rare visitor, usually remaining 

 in the more northern districts of Europe and America, and 

 in no instance of which we are aware has it been known to 

 breed upon our shores. 



The Gyr-Falcon delights to have its eyrie on some pre- 

 cipitous cliff overhanging the sea ; doubtless that it may 

 prey upon the numerous sea-fowl which frequent such loca- 

 lities. The nest is composed of sticks, seaweeds, and mosses, 

 and the eggs, which are two or three in number, are not 

 generally remarkable for their beauty, having in some in- 

 stances a yellowish-white ground-colour, clouded and varied 

 with dull reddish-brown, and seldom, we believe, possessing 

 that rich colouring or those bold markings which charac- 

 terize the eggs of some other species of this Order. 



THE PEREGRINE FALCON. Falco peregrlnus. This Fal- 

 con, called also the Blue or Cliff Hawk, inhabits the cliffs 

 of our shores or tlie precipitous parts of our inland districts. 

 It was formerly valued for its services in the sport of hawk- 



