2l6 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BERMUDAS. 



That such is the mode in which the Peregrine Falcon 

 strikes its quarry I firmly believe, and ground that belief on 

 the habits of a very fine specimen of the Duck Falcon — 

 Falcon ptregrinus, of Buonaparte — which I kept in a state 

 of captivity for several months. Whether this noble bird 

 be identical with the European species or not, I will not at 

 present undertake to say; probably it is not — still the 

 habits of the two are so similar, that we may safely 

 reason upon the analogy. If the action of the Peregrine 

 be regarded in this light, then is the appearance of the 

 recently killed quarry — as described by Mr. Knox — duly 

 accounted for, without depriving this noble Falcon of the 

 use of the greater portion of those weapons which are 

 evidently bestowed upon it by divine providence, to assist 

 in the capture of its prey. 



The following is an instance of the bold and pertinacious 

 manner in which the lesser of the Falcon tribe will some- 

 times attack its victim. While shooting in the marshes 

 of Abbeville, some years ago, the sudden and repeated 

 quack of a wild Duck was heard at some distance, and as 

 the sound seemed to approach nearer and nearer to the 

 spot on which I stood, I was induced to conceal myself 

 among the long flags of a neighbouring ditch, in the hope 

 of obtaining a shot. The Duck soon became visible as it 

 approached me on the wing, uttering the same loud and 

 continued quacking. It passed nearly within shot of me, 

 and I could distinctly perceive some small Hawk, or 

 Falcon, fixed upon its back, without outspread, but motion- 

 less wings, apparently making a desperate attempt to 

 wound the Duck with its bill. In this manner both birds 

 crossed the river Somme, and the Paris Road beyond ; 

 the Duck, evidently in great distress, making for the 

 hills above. I watched them to the top of the hill, and 

 saw them pass through a row of apple trees, when they 



