From Fox's Earth 



Some say the weakling ; that which lags, because 

 it may not keep pace with the others and falls 

 an easy prey. A plea has been urged for her on 

 this very account. For are not these weaklings 

 most likely to contract infection if not already 

 victims of incipient disease and spread havoc 

 among the rest ? It is good that the devastating 

 career should be stopped. And is not she the 

 physician of nature ? 



I am less disposed to make use of this than 

 once I was ; partly because I see something 

 better that may be said. It is based on imperfect 

 observation, and still more faulty appreciation of 

 larger issues. Pity if it were true, seeing that 

 it would involve more loss than gain. There are 

 birds I know a few possessed of the passion 

 of flight, that strain on the wing for the very 

 joy of putting forth their energies. There are 

 birds of prey which rejoice more in the pursuit 

 than the capture. All have a liking for the chase. 

 The rarer like it well. The rarest of all is the 

 peregrine. Its sporting qualities are matter of 

 history and tradition. It is too late to blacken 

 its character. 



That she for the female is the falcon will 

 strike unworthy fugitives, with none other in 

 sight, is true enough. But he, who has seen her 

 turn contemptuously away without taking the 

 trouble to kill, will not suppose that she prides 

 herself in the deed. In a covey, with the strong 



