302 CASSELLS BOOK OF BIRDS. 



sixteen to eighteen inches long, and from thirty to forty broad, whilst the female, on the contrary, is 

 from eighteen to twenty-one inches long, and forty to forty-two inches broad ; the wing measures from 

 fourteen to fifteen and a half inches, and the tail six and a half to seven and a half inches. 



The name of Peregrine or Wandering Falcon most accurately describes the habits of this species, 

 which is found almost throughout the wide world. Its habitat extends from Northern Asia and 

 Western Europe, and during the breeding season it frequents the northern coasts of the Mediterranean. 

 As winter approaches it migrates to Africa, visiting the very heart of that continent, and occasionally 

 making its appearance in the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good Hope. According to Jerdon, the 

 Peregrine Falcon is regularly met with in India throughout the cold season, during which it roams 

 about the country lying between the Himalaya Mountains and Cape Comorin, but is seen in the 

 greatest numbers on the coast or upon the banks of rivers. These birds appear in India towards 

 the first week in October and leave again in April, but never breed there. The species inhabiting 

 America also migrates farther south, but we cannot speak with certainty as to their being found 

 in Mexico, though we have known instances in which they have flown across the Gulf of Mexico 

 — indeed, so great are their powers of endurance when upon the wing that a distance of a hundred 

 miles seems to be regarded as a mere pleasure excursion by these restless marauders. The Wandering 

 Falcon is very courageous, and its powerful body and bright intelligent eye clearly indicate a high 

 standing in respect to its natural gifts. When about to take flight this species usually spreads its tail, 

 and flies for a short distance close to the ground before rising into the air, where its course is very 

 rapid, and produced by quick, hurried strokes of the pinions ; during the period of incubation it 

 soars to a considerable height, but at other seasons keeps comparatively near the earth, and is easily 

 recognised by its slender form, narrow tail, and long, pointed wings. Dense woods afford these birds 

 the retreats they prefer, and even there they rarely retire to rest until late in the evening, selecting their 

 sleeping place with great care in some thickly-covered nook : whilst reposing they perch upon a branch 

 with the neck drawn in so completely as to give their head the appearance of growing from the shoulders, 

 the black cheeks and white throat adding considerably to their striking appearance as they sit warily 

 upon their guard against approaching danger. The cry of this species is powerful and full-toned, but 

 is rarely heard except during the breeding season. 



Nothing can exceed the terror in which the Peregrine Falcon is regarded by such of its 

 feathered brethren as cannot compete with it in strength or activity — indeed, no bird from a Wild Goose 

 to a Lark is safe from its murderous attacks. Its prey, which is usually seized when upon the wing, 

 is made to rise from the ground by a variety of tactics. A Partridge it terrifies by performing gyrations 

 above its head, until the frightened creature endeavours to seek safety in flight ; Pigeons are often so 

 panic-stricken as to plunge into the water, and Ducks are frequently so overcome with fear and 

 exhausted with their struggles as to be powerless to dive, and thus to elude the dreaded foe. Rapidity 

 of flight is no security against its attacks. Some species of Pigeons endeavour to save themselves by 

 crowding close together in a thick mass, and quitting the locality with all possible expedition ; but even 

 this stratagem rarely meets with complete success, for some weary straggler is pretty certain to fall into 

 the clutches of the ever-watchful enemy, who darts down upon its victim like an arrow from a bow. 

 Immense numbers of Crows are also destroyed by these birds, who often subsist for whole weeks 

 together upon their flesh : despite the well-known courage of the Crow, it seems to consider, when 

 brought face to face with this powerful tyrant, that " discretion is the better part of valour," and at once 

 endeavours to slink off unobserved, or beat a very undignified retreat ; all attempts at flight are, 

 however, perfectly hopeless, for so rapid is the speed of the pursuer that the eye cannot follow its 

 course, as it flashes down with a whizzing sound, and pounces fiercely upon its almost paralysed victim 

 — indeed, so incredibly powerful is the shock with which the Peregrine Falcon occasionally descends, 



