FALCONIDJE. 7 



enough to recognize it with certainty, make a dash 

 at a flock of Purres ; the Purres immediately opened 

 right and left and made a broad passage for the 

 hawk, who went completely through the flock, but 

 failed in catching one. 



In the days of falconry the Peregrine Falcon was, 

 with the exception of the Gyr Falcon, the most 

 esteemed and sought after for that sport. Various 

 technical names were given it, according to its age 

 and sex ; the female Peregrine, being the larger and 

 more powerful bird, was exclusively called the 

 Falcon; the male, which, as in most of the Fal- 

 conidse, is much smaller and less powerful than the 

 female, is called the Tercel, Tiercel or Tiercelet. 

 The J 7 oung birds were called Red Falcon or Red 

 Tiercel, according as they were male or female, and 

 the very young when in their down or nest-feathers 

 were called Eyases. 



The food of the Peregrine Falcon consists mostly 

 of various species of birds, as Pigeons, Partridges, 

 Ptarmigan, Grouse, Ducks, and various species of 

 Sea-fowl, which form a plentiful supply when its 

 nest or eyrie is established, as it frequently is, 

 amongst the precipitous cliffs on the sea coast, 

 which are also selected by these birds as a breeding- 

 station ; rabbits and young hares also seem to form 

 a part of its food.* The nest is usually placed on 



* Yarrell, p. 44. 



