46 falconidye. 



In December, 1832, one of these birds, which had her liberty 

 there, was observed to fly several times over a pond on which a 

 wild golden-eyed duck (Anas clangula), exhibiting the beautiful 

 plumage of the adult male, had just alighted, and was remarked 

 to keep watch on Mm during the day. At dusk, when wild fowl 

 betake themselves to their feeding haunts, this golden eye depart- 

 ed from the pond, and was perceived by the falcon, which instantly 

 commenced pursuit. After a short chase, she seized and brought 

 him back to the place he had just left, when, by struggling vio- 

 lently, he became disengaged from her grasp, and took refuge in 

 a small and shallow pond. Here again he was persecuted by two 

 persons who had witnessed the above occurrence, and though his 

 wings had not been in the least degree injured, he did not again 

 venture to take flight, but seeking escape only by diving, was 

 eventually captured ; thus affording evidence of the feathered, 

 being more dreaded than the human tyrant.* He was now pin- 

 ioned, and compelled to take up his abode with the other wild- 

 fowl in the aquatic menagerie, a place which, in the unlimited 

 freedom of flight, he had unluckily happened to visit but a few 

 hours before. 



Falcons killing each other, 8fc. — In October, 1833, a female pe- 

 regrine falcon of Mr. Sinclaire's, a bird of that year, and conse- 

 quently but a few months old, having got loose in the hawk-yard, 

 killed a male of her own species, a year or two older than herself. 

 He had the power, too, of moving at least a yard from his block. 

 She had nearly eaten Mm, when the falconer entered the yard to 

 feed them, which he did once daily at a regular hour. TMs female 

 bird was " full fed " the day before, and had never got more than 

 one meal in the day. Montagu relates a similar occurrence in the 

 Supplement to Ms Ornithological Dictionary; and in the latter 

 work, mentions one of Ms sea eagles having eaten the other. 

 About twenty-five years ago, Captain Johnson, of the lsj; battalion 

 of the Bine Brigade, then stationed in the county of Limerick, 



* Birds of all kinds, when put into cover by peregrine falcons, generally allow them- 

 selves to be captured by man, rather than again venture on wing. Grouse and young 

 black-cocks will do so ; and several partridges out of a covey, under such circumstances, 

 have lain until caught by the dogs. 



