PEREGRINE FALCON. 25 



abundant supply of food. It is doubtless to this migratory movement 

 of the Peregrine from the extreme northern limits of its range that we 

 must attribute the appearance of the bird in those localities now so little 

 suited to its requirements, as, for instance, the low-lying eastern counties. 

 Indeed, in the greater part of England the Peregrine is only known as a 

 migrant, most common in the autumn, and in a few cases remaining through 

 the winter in some favoured spot. It is also worthy of remark that these 

 autumnal wanderers are, for the greater part, young birds ; but in the 

 spring movement northwards old birds are more numerous. Even young 

 birds bred in our own land quit the place of their birth so soon as they can 

 forage for themselves, their parents guarding their own stronghold with 

 the greatest jealousy from intruders, and breeding there year after year 

 if unmolested. 



Naturally enough, the time for studying the Peregrine Falcon's move- 

 ments to best advantage is when it is engaged in obtaining its food. Most 

 species of water-fowl are preyed upon, as well as Grouse and Partridges; 

 but perhaps his favourite food is the Rock-Doves which nestle on the ocean- 

 cliffs around him, and the Stock-Doves in the more inland districts. Few 

 birds, indeed, fly more swiftly than these two species of Dove, yet the Pere- 

 grine takes them with comparative ease, fairly flying them down, or perhaps 

 more frequently darting with great rapidity upon them unawares. Dixon, 

 writing of the Peregrine on Skye, says : — " A favourite morsel with the 

 Peregrine is the comical little Puffin, or ' Sea-Parrot,' as thefishei'men call 

 him ; in fact in some localities this bird almost forms his only food. Here, 

 for instance, on this steep ocean-cliff a colony of Puffins have established 

 themselves. The time is early morning ; and the Puffins are coming to 

 and quitting their holes, from and to the sea below, where quite a large 

 company are fishing and disporting themselves. Several of the curious 

 little birds leave the cliff together, and with rapid beats of their short 

 wings pass to the water below. Suddenly a loud flapping of wings is heard, 

 something flits like a meteor from the air above, and follows the Puffins in 

 their downward course. Perceiving their danger they scatter; but too 

 late ; already one of their number is struck and quivering in the sharp 

 talons of their common enemy. All for the moment is commotion : the 

 birds on the sea beneath dive out of danger ; and those on the cliffs are 

 in uproar at the suddenness of the onslaught. But the alarm soon sub- 

 sides, and the birds are pursuing their usual avocations again. Indeed 

 it is a noteworthy fact that the birds display very little alarm whilst the 

 Falcon sails high in air above them ; and it is no uncommon thing to 

 see the bird, evidently when its appetite is satisfied, surrounded by Terns 

 and Gulls, and see the Pufi&ns sitting quite unconcerned a stone's throw 

 from their enemy." The Peregrine also feeds on young rabbits and 

 leverets, especially of the blue hare. 



