38 FALCONID.E. 



sonorous. These birds build their nest in the highest pine- 

 trees ; sometimes, also, in the fissure of a precipitous rock. 

 Both male and female may at times be seen over the place 

 chosen for nidification, wheeling in circling flight. The nest 

 is a flat structure, composed of dry sticks, on which the 

 female deposits three or four eggs ; and three weeks is the 

 length of the period of incubation. During this time the 

 male seeks food for himself and his mate within the limits 

 of the forest ; rooks, pigeons, and other forest breeders, be- 

 come at this time his prey. He is also a great enemy to 

 grouse, ptarmigans, and partridges, and when once a covey 

 of the latter is discovered, there remains but little chance 

 for the escape of any of them from his persevering returns to 

 the spot they frequent. In more northern countries, the 

 Peregrine is said to attack the capercailzies, notwithstanding 

 their great size, and to consume them in great numbers : and 

 he is so fastidious that he never resorts a second time to the 

 prey that he has left, which renders him more destructive 

 than he would otherwise be. 



Another circumstance that brings upon the devoted Pere- 

 grine the charge of destructiveness, is the fact, that various 

 birds, less courageous and less successful in the chase than he 

 is, habitually rob him of his prey. 



The buzzard sits quietly upon a rock or a stone, watching 

 with eagerness the motions of this hawk, when engaged in 

 the pursuit ; as soon as he has taken his prey and alighted 

 on the ground for the purpose of devouring it, he is driven 

 away by the buzzard, to whom he resigns it without a struggle, 

 and takes to flight. However hungry, he is never seen 

 to defend himself, or dispute his right. The rough-legged 

 buzzard, and even the harrier, rob him in a similar manner. 

 Nevertheless, the Peregrine displays both courage and ad- 

 dress in frequent contests with his equals. 



