THE FALCON. 139 



reptile from wounding his flesh with his poisonous 

 teeth. Sometimes he takes the serpent on one of his 

 wings, and throws it into the air, and after having 

 worried it in this way for a time, he takes the first 

 safe opportunity of despatching it, by a single blow on 

 the head with his bill. He then makes a comfortable 

 meal of his fallen enemy, at his leisure. 



This Falcon is easily tamed, and when domestica- 

 ted, will eat any kind of food, whether raw, or cooked. 

 If well fed, he will not only live with hens and chick- 

 ens, on friendly terms, but when he sees any of them 

 quarrelling, will run and part them, and restore order 

 and harmony in the poultry yard. If, however, he is 

 neglected, and becomes hungry, he will satisfy his 

 appetite from among the chickens with which he had 

 Jived on such kind and familiar terms. 



THE COMMON FALCON. 



[ This bird has also been called Gentil Falcon, ,] 



How large is the common Falcon ? 



The common Falcon is about two feet long, from 

 the bill to the end of the tail ; but the body is small 

 and light, only weighing three or four pounds. 



What colour is this bird ? 



The colour of his beak is reddish ; the head and 

 neck are brown, with black spots ; the back and 

 wings are brown ; the tail is striped across with black 

 and ash colour, and tipped with white. 



Where is this bird found 3 



This Falcon is found in Scotland, France, and other 

 parts of Europe. 



