1 66 



in the neighbourhood of large towns ; here they are 

 able to vary their diet with a choice selection of 

 tit-bits ; a crust of bread, half-an-inch of tallow 

 dip, or a dead kitten, being each and all received 

 with thanks. 



They may also be noticed at this season follow- 

 ing the plough, eagerly snatching up the worms and 

 grubs as they are exposed to view. 



The specimens shown in the case were shot at 

 sea off Brighton during the winter of 1870. 



PEREGRINE. 

 Case 240. 



Under the heading of " Hawks and the 

 Moors," the Peregrine has given rise to many dis- 

 cussions in the sporting papers ; some writers 

 declaring that they do but little damage on a Grouse 

 moor, being of opinion that the few birds they take 

 are usually the diseased and weakly, while others 

 class them amongst the very worst of thieves. 



These discussions evidently being for the most 

 part between falconers on the one side and game 

 preservers on the other, there can be but little 

 doubt that each party takes a rather one-sided view 

 of the case. 



The Peregrine accommodates itself to the 

 district it beeds in, preying on Grouse, Plover, 

 Ducks, and Pigeons, in the Highlands ; sea birds 

 such as the smaller Gulls and Guillemots, on the 

 islands ; and Partridges, Pigeons, and even the 

 young of the domestic fowl, in the south. It is, 

 however, impossible for anyone to give the true 

 " bill of fare " of a Peregrine, as on examining a 

 dozen nests there will be found the remains of 

 different victims in each. 



Though certainly an enemy to the game 

 preserver in the north (every Falcon destroying on 

 an average at least one brace of Grouse or other 

 game birds in a day), I should be sorry to see this 



