66 ANNALS OF BIRD LIFE. 



beautiful Falcon feeds largely on Grouse and 

 Rock Doves ; and when its haunts are near the 

 great bird bazaars, sea-fowl are taken in large 

 numbers. I know of few finer sights in the bird 

 world than the wild, impetuous swoop of the 

 Peregrine upon its prey. Like a bolt from the 

 blue sky, the Falcon hurls itself upon its unsus- 

 pecting victim, often tearing it in twain by the 

 force of the swoop. 



Most raptorial birds engage in various and 

 beautiful evolutions in the air during the spring, 

 and the Peregrine is no exception. The court- 

 ship of these birds is almost entirely carried on in 

 the air. Kestrels will soar upwards until they 

 look like mere specks against the background of 

 glorious blue ; Merlins and Hobbys will wheel 

 and manoeuvre in ever-widening circles above 

 their breeding haunts ; Eagles toy and buffet with 

 each other high up in the sky ; and the Peregrine 

 and Buzzard oft mount in spiral course evidently 

 for pleasure enjoying their honeymoon far up 

 amongst the clouds. Aerial combats, too, are of 

 frequent occurrence among these birds in early 

 spring ; and then their rapid movements and 

 evolutions are truly astonishing. I have seen two 

 male Eagles fight for victory in the tournament 

 of love, now locked in tight embrace, anon flying 

 upwards and upwards, each trying to get above, 

 the other, and then as rapidly descending, each 

 striking its opponent with wings and claws, and 

 finally disappearing behind the summit of a distant 



