FALCONS. 



southern form, known as the black-cheeked falcon (F. melanogenys), which ranges 

 to Australia, and is distinguished by its redder and more finely-barred plumage. 

 Ornithologists are now pretty well agreed that the peregrine of North America — 

 where it is commonly known as the duck-hawk — is merely a variety of the 

 European species ; but in Chili and the adjacent parts of South America we meet 

 with another form, apparently allied to the black-cheeked falcon, and known as 

 F. nigriceps, or F. cassine. 



Breeding: on the cliffs of the sea-coast in the south, and in the more mountainous 



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CAST OF PEREGRINES — BED FALCON AND BLUE TIERCEL. 



districts in the interior of the country, the peregrine is best known in England as 

 a migrant. These migratory individuals are chiefly birds of the first year, and are 

 most commonly met with in autumn ; but there are also a certain number of old 

 birds which make their appearance in spring on their northward journey. Although 

 nearly always nesting on some lofty cliflf, there are instances of its having bred in 

 an open marsh, and also in a tree. The nest is usually of large size, and generally 

 contains four eggs, which are remarkable for the depth of the colour of their red 

 blotchings. Feeding chiefly on birds of different kinds, the peregrine undoubtedly 

 kills a considerable quantity of game. Professor Newton is of opinion, however, 

 that the harm it inflicts is not so great as might at first appear to b^' the case. 



