. GREAT-FOOTED HAWK. I51 
interesting by the wonderful stories which we heard of its ex- 
ploits in fowling, and of its daring enterprise. There was not 
for seizing the prey in an open manner by the exercise of their own 
organs, Noble in bearing and carriage, the falcons are as much dis- 
tinguished from the vultures by their graceful proportions, ‘as those of 
the lion place him in the ranks of creation above the gaunt, ravenous, 
erisly, yet dastard wolf.” Placed by their strong and powerful frames 
far beyond them in all rapacious powers, they feed nearly exclusively 
on living prey, despising all upon which they have not themselves 
acted as executioners, and particularly any carrion which has the least 
savour of beginning putrescence. For these purposes they are possessed 
with a compactly-formed body, the neck comparatively short, and 
supported by muscles of more than ordinary strength ; the feet and 
thighs remarkably powerful, and the wings of that true hirundine form 
and texture which points out the greater development of their power. 
The prey is generally struck while upon the wing with a rapid sweep, 
and is at once borne off, unless completely above the weight of the 
assailer, when it is struck to the ground, and despatched more at leisure. 
The peregrine falcon has a considerable geographical range, extending 
over the whole of temperate Europe, North America, and New Holland. 
The specimens from the latter country, 1 may remark, are all smaller 
in size, but hardly any other distinction can be fixed upon. In Britain, 
it is abundant on all the rocky coasts towards the north, breeding and 
frequenting the precipitous headlands ; in many districts inland it is 
also frequent, but the choice of them is more arbitrary and local. The 
vale of Moffat, in Dumfriesshire, is one of the most favourite stations 
IT am aware of ; many pairs breed there, and on the confines of Selkirk- 
shire, choosing their eyries among the precipitous cliffs and streams of 
that mountainous district. They return to the same rock year after year, 
and often fix upon the same nest for their breeding-place. When either 
of the birds are killed, a mate is speedily found by the survivor, and 
returns with him to the old abode, and some of the eyries there have 
been known, and handed down to recollection, as far as the annals of 
the district extend. The Bass Rock and Isle of May in the Firth of 
Forth each possess a pair long renowned in deeds of falconry, and the 
Isle of Man can boast of many a noble bird, whose ancestors have joined 
in that now nearly forgotten sport. I am aware of no instance in this 
country where the peregrine builds on trees, as mentioned by Ord in 
America ; nor does it seem its true habit there. Dr Richardson remarks, 
that it is a rare bird in the wooded districts of the Fur Countries, and 
the greater part of the specimens which have reached this country have 
been procured upon the coast. 
To the American falcons may be added the merlin F. esalon, which 
