PEREGRINE FALCON. 299 



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. 

 Thefalco peregrinus, or haggard falcon, is a noble 

 species of hawk, seldom seen in the southern 

 counties. In winter 1767 one was killed in the 

 neighbouring parish of Faringdon, and sent by 

 me to Mr. Pennant into North Wales l . Since 

 that time I have met with none till now. The 

 specimen mentioned above was in fine preserva- 

 tion, 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, 



consist chiefly of house -martins, above 400 in number ; but 

 there are other places of rendezvous about- the village fre- 

 quented at the same time. 



" It is remarkable, that though most of them sit on the 

 battlements and roof, yet many hang there for some time 

 by their claws against the surface of the walls, in a manner 

 not practised by them at any other time of their remaining 

 with us. 



" The swallows seem to delight more in holding their 

 assemblies on trees. It is very remarkable, that after the 

 Mrundines have disappeared for some weeks, a few are 

 occasionally seen again, sometimes in the first week of 

 November, and that only for one day. Do they not 

 withdraw and slumber in some hiding-place during the 

 interval ? for we cannot suppose that they had migrated 

 to warmer climates, and so returned again for one day. Is 

 it not more probable that they are awakened from sleep, and, 

 like the bats, are come forth to collect a little food ? Bats ap- 

 pear at all seasons through the autumn and spring months, 

 when the thermometer is at 50, because.their phalaense and 

 moths are thinning. 



" These swallows looked like young ones." \V. J. 



' See Letters X. and XL, Part I. 



