PEREGRINE FALCON. 37 



RAPTORES. FALCONIDM. 



PLATE VIII. 



PEREGRINE FALCON. 



Falco Peregrinus. (Linn.) 



The Peregrine Falcon is a very courageous, powerful, and 

 active bird ; qualities observable at first sight in his strongly 

 built form and brilliant eye. His flight is rapid, with quick 

 movement of the wings : he is rarely observed to sail, but 

 is usually seen skimming near the ground. On rising, he 

 expands his tail, and flies in a slanting direction for some 

 distance before he mounts in the air. When on the 

 wing, he is easily distinguished from other birds by his fine 

 proportions, his narrow tail, and long and pointed wings. 

 When sitting at rest with his neck shortened, and the white 

 feathers of his breast spread over the shoulders of the 

 wings, the black streaks which descend from the corners of 

 his mouth, contrasting with the white colour of the throat, 

 render him a striking and conspicuous object. 



This Falcon is a shy and wary bird, and difficult to ap- 

 proach unobserved. His favourite haunt for resting at night 

 is the high branch of a lofty forest-tree, and pine-forests seem 

 to be preferred ; to such places he retires about sunset. 

 Sometimes he is seen in the open fields, seated upon a stone, 

 rock, or hillock, where he quietly waits, watching for his 

 prey. 



The voice of the Peregrine Falcon is loud, clear, and 



