PEREGRINE FALCON. 39 



The food of the Peregrine Falcon consists entirely of 

 birds, which are plucked clean before they are devoured. 

 He attacks indifferently all kinds from the size of the lark 

 to that of the wild-goose. Reptiles are never taken by 

 him. His prey is always captured when on the wing, by out- 

 soaring and pouncing upon his victim ; he cannot take birds 

 from the ground, nor does he venture to pounce upon such as 

 are skimming near it, as he would endanger his own safety. 

 Pigeons are well aware of this, and may often be seen 

 to fly cautiously close to the ground when a hawk is in 

 sight. 



The Peregrines, as well as all the other noble birds of 

 prey, destroy their victim instantaneously, by attacking it in 

 a vital part. 



The Peregrine Falcon is met with all over Europe, and in 

 the northern parts of Asia, Africa, and America. It is indi- 

 genous in England, inhabiting especially the more hilly districts. 

 " From its nature," says Montagu, " the Peregrine Falcon is 

 limited to certain districts, choosing only the mountainous 

 parts, where it can settle on the shelving rock of some stupen- 

 dous cliff, and breed in security in the midst of plenty. From 

 this circumstance, this species appears less plentiful with us 

 than it really is, there not being on any part of our coast, 

 from north to south, a spot where the cliffs rise to the height 

 of three or four hundred feet, but they are found scattered 

 during the breeding season, and from which they seldom 

 retire, except for occasional migratory purposes, or when the 

 young are driven to seek fresh quarters." 



The Peregrine holds the next rank to the Jer Falcon in 

 estimation for falconry ; his strength, courage, and aptitude 

 to receive instruction rendering him for this purpose a valu- 

 able bird. Formerly, when falconry was much esteemed, 

 considerable care was taken with the education, treatment, 



