BIRDS OF PREY. 303 



that instances have been known in which the pursuer has actually killed or stunned itself by the violence 

 of its swoop, or has plunged to such a depth in the water, when endeavouring to seize a duck, as to 

 have been drowned in the attempt. Large birds, such as Wild Geese, are generally disposed of while 

 upon the ground, as their size would render it impossible to contend with them in the air, and the 

 flesh is devoured upon the spot where the victim is killed ; more portable prey, on the contrary, is carried 

 off to some quiet retreat, where it can be eaten at leisure. Small birds are entirely consumed, but 

 larger kinds are stripped of a portion of the feathers, and the entrails are thrown aside as unfit for food. 



Every variety of situation seems to be regarded with favour by this species, and it will live as 

 comfortably in a crowded city as on precipitous and impassable mountain ranges ; when about to 

 breed, however, a decided preference is shown for the latter situation, as affording ready-made holes, 

 which require but little labour to convert them into dwellings for the young ; hollow forest trees are 

 also employed for this purpose, and a pair of Wandering Falcons often render their preparatory 

 exertions still more light by the appropriation of a Crow's nest. The eyrie is very slightly constructed 

 of twigs or brushwood, and the eggs, three or four in number, are laid about May or June ; these are 

 round, of a yellowish red, spotted with brown. The task of brooding devolves entirely upon the 

 female ; the young are fed at first upon half digested flesh, and afterwards with the same in its fresh 

 state. When fledged they are carefully instructed in all the arts required in their freebooting life, and 

 only withdraw themselves from their parents' protection when fully competent to do battle with any 

 member of the numerous species against which their family wages constant war. 



One strange habit of the Peregrine Falcon must not be passed over without notice — namely, that 

 at the very first attack made upon it by even the most insignificant and cowardly of feathered 

 assailants, it will at once throw down its prey, or even allow it to be seized and carried oft" by foes of 

 so timid a character that a spirited, clucking hen might drive them from the spot. We have ourselves 

 seen in North-eastern Africa one of these fierce and strong marauders resign possession of three Ducks 

 in succession when beset by an impudent party of feathered mendicants, amongst which the prey was 

 dropped without even an attempt at resistance. Most serious and extensive is the destruction caused 

 by these birds, and since the days of falconry have passed away no service rendered by them can in 

 any degree compensate for the many injuries they inflict upon our property — indeed, but little can be 

 said in their favour, except that they are imposing in their appearance when sailing through the realms 

 of air. 



■When caged they will sometimes live for many years, and exhibit surprising voracity. Naumann 

 mentions having kept a Peregrine Falcon for some time in confinement, and tells us that on one 

 occasion it devoured the whole of a fox in the course of two days ; three Crows were only sufficient 

 for one day's provision, but, on the other hand, it could, if required, fast for a whole week ; this bird 

 would seize six Sparrows at a time, three in each foot, and dispatch them, as it squatted on the 

 ground, by biting one after the other through the head, laying down each victim in succession until all 

 were killed. 



THE RED-NECKED FALCON. 

 The Red-necked Falcon {Falco ruficoUis), the smallest and most beautiful of the many kinds 

 found in Asia and Africa, is very nearly related to the bird above described, and is replaced in India 

 by a very similar species called the Turumdi (Falco Chiquera). The head and nape of the neck of 

 the Falco ruficoUis are rust red, streaked here and there with a dark shade upon the shafts of the 

 feathers ; the back, wing-covers, and small quills are of a deep grey (which during the life of the bird 

 has a blueish gloss), and is marked with irregular black spots ; the shoulder is light reddish yellow, the 

 tail is dark grey, with a broad white tip, and ornamented with eight or ten white stripes; the throat is 



