94 ACCIPITRES. 



the jer-falcon, and therefore its nest is usually found on the 

 sunny side of the mountains. Insulated rocks near the 

 margin of the rich country, and even near the sea, are much 

 more favourite retreats with the peregrine than the fastness 

 of the mountains. Accordingly, we do not meet with it 

 beating the summit ridges of the Grampians, but it is very 

 frequently met with on those secondary slopes where grous 

 are most abundant ; and it will sometimes take a dash over 

 the farm, and levy its contribution upon the rabbit warren, 

 or even the poultry-yard. 



The peregrine falcon is one of those birds that appear to be 

 less numerous than they really are. It nestles in wild places; 

 and as the powerful birds of prey are as remarkable for their 

 repose when not preying, as for their boldness and activity 

 when they are, it spends much of its time in quiet, and spends 

 the more, the more abundant that prey is in its neighbour- 

 hood. Hence it lives the most in retirement in those places 

 which are the best adapted for it ; and, as the smaller hawks 

 and kites are not very fond of it as a neighbour, it keeps its 

 preserve in a great measure to itself.* 



* " It may be stated/' says Mr. Thompson, " in general terms, that 

 the peregrine falcon occurs in suitable localities throughout Ireland. In 

 the four maritime counties of Ulster it has many eyries ; and in Antrim, 

 whose basaltic precipices are favourable for this purpose, seven at least 

 might be enumerated ; of these only one is inland. At the Gohbins 

 regularly frequented by a pair, there were two nests, in one year within 

 an extent of rock considerably less than a mile. This is the only instance 

 known to me, of so close an approximation on the part of the peregrine 

 falcon. Even at the Horn in Donegal, where the extent of precipices is 

 very great and continuous, we met with but a pair of these birds, and 

 were informed that they contain only one other eyrie." 



We have known this species breed near the Needles in the Isle of 

 Wight, the sea-fowl there affording it abundance of food. 



This species is distinct from the great-footed falcon of North America, 

 (Falco Anatum, Bonap.) with which, till very recently, it has been con- 

 founded. Both, however, agree in changing their hunting-grounds with 

 the season. In the northern parts of the continent the peregrine falcon 



