1 84 ■ DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY. 



since all falcons invariably seize the weakest birds, and the elimination of such 



weaklings is probably to the general advantage of the breed. In North America, 



although by no means common, the peregrine is the most numerously represented 



of all the larger falcons. Captain Bendire writes that in the northern portion 



of its range it is only a summer resident, following the immense flocks of 



water - fowl during their migrations. " Hares, ptarmigan, grouse, bob - whites, 



pigeons, as well as smaller birds, enter largely into its bill of fare, and the 



poultry-yard as well occasionally suffers. Next to the goshawk, the peregrine 



falcon is our most audacious bird of prey. Its flight, when once fairly started in 



pursuit of its quarry, is amazingly swift ; it is seemingly an easy matter for it to 



overtake the fleetest of birds, and when once in its grasp resistance is useless. I 



have seen this falcon strike a teal almost within gunshot of me, kill it apparently 



instantaneously from the force of the shock, and fly away with it without visible 



struggle, and as easily as if it had been a sparrow instead of a bird of its own 



weight." 



From its docile disposition, its powerful flight, and the ease with 

 Use in Hawking. . , . , ' r & ' 



which it can be procured, the peregrine has always been a favourite 



bird in falconry, and is the one most commonly employed in the modern revival of 

 that sport. In falconry it is the female only that is termed the " falcon " ; the 

 male bird being designated the " tiercel," corrupted into " tarsel." While the tiercel 

 was commonly flown at partridges and occasionally at magpies, herons, and next 

 to them rooks, were the favourite quarry for the falcon. In heron-hawking, the 

 bii-ds were intercepted on their way home, and, if possible, when flj^ing against the 

 wind. When a heron was viewed, a cast or pair of falcons was loosed ; and there- 

 upon pursuers and pursued immediately began to try and soar above the other, 

 the heron lightening himself by disgorging his food. The falcons fly in a spiral, 

 and as soon as one has gained a position of advantage and made its swoop, it 

 should be succeeded by its fellow; the manoeuvre being repeated until the heron 

 is brought to the ground. In striking, the falcon attacks only with its claws, 

 and not, as often represented, with its beak. In India the peregrine, locally 

 known as the bhyri, used to be employed by the native chiefs in hawking egrets, 

 stalks, herons, cranes, etc. ; only a single bird being flown at each quarry. The 

 smaller shahin, or royal falc«n was, however, held in still higher estimation for 

 this sport. It may be added tliat the shahin differs from the peregrine by the 

 more rufous tinge of its under-parts, and its dark head and nape. 



With the Indian turumti falcon (F. chicquera), which scarcely 

 Tununti FalcoiL . . 



exceeds the common kestrel in size, we come to much smaller 



representatives of the present section of the genus. This species resembles the 

 peregrines in having the feathers of the thighs distinctly barred, but is at once 

 distinguished from that group by the chestnut-coloured head, nape, and cheek- 

 stripe. The rest of the upper-parts are pale grey, with dark markings, the quills 

 being dark slaty, and the tail light grey, with a broad black terminal band tipped 

 with white. The lower surface is white to the breast, behind which there are 

 narrow cross-bars of dusky grey. The beak is greenish yellow at the base, while 

 the cere and legs are bright yellow. This species is confined to India, but is replaced 

 in Africa by the rather paler tawny-headed falcon {F. ruficollis), which is perhaps 



