110 A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



tinged greenish ; legs and feet bright yellow, claws blue -black ; 

 iris dark hazel. 



Characters and allied forms. — For differences of F. p. anatum 

 see under that form. F. p. calidus (west Siberia to Kamtschatka) 

 has narrower moustachial stripe and white patch behind it larger ; 

 F. p. pealei (north-west America) is greyer, not so blackish, on 

 crown and has wide black bars on under -parts ; F. p. brookei 

 (=F. punicus) (S. Spain, N. Marocco, Mediterranean Isles) is small, 

 has rufous under-parts with close dark bars ; F. p. pelegrinoides 

 (=F. barbarus auct.) (Canary Is., N. Africa) is slightly smaller than 

 last, has rufous under-parts very lightly barred and rufous nape 

 and rufous tinge on fore-head ; F. p. babylonicus (Turkestan, Persia, 

 Mesopotamia) has more rufous on crown and nape than last and less 

 pronounced moustachial stripe, other forms occur outside Palse- 

 arctic Region. Peregrine Falcons are distinguished from other 

 British Falcons by their large size (but smaller than Gyr -Falcons), 

 strong black moustachial stripe and want of chestnut on thighs 

 and belly. 



Field -characters. — Breeds on maritime cliffs and inland preci- 

 pices, but out of nesting-season occurs in varied situations, marshes 

 and estuaries, moors and open country generally. At rest, its 

 blue-grey colour, barred under-parts, black crown, cheeks, and 

 clearly marked moustachial stripe coupled with its size and 

 square-cut, high-shouldered figure are unmistakable. On the 

 wing Peregrine is embodiment of speed and strength ; flight, 

 swift and direct, is accomplished by a few rapid beats of long, 

 sharply-pointed wings and a long glide on extended motionless 

 pinions ; form compact and trim with sharp-cut outline, large 

 feet often visible beneath short and wedge-shaped tail. Its 

 headlong stoop, when made from any height, is incredibly swift 

 and produces a rushing sound out of all proportion to bird's size. 

 Except in breeding-season silent, as all Falcons are, but when 

 nesting-place is invaded both sexes are vociferous and the rocks 

 ring with their harsh, shrill, chattering " hek-hek-kek," which 

 differs perceptibly in tone in the sexes, and in moments of intense 

 excitement becomes a fierce, screaming " werch-werch-werch." 



Breeding-habits. — Now confined chiefly to sea-cliffs and wilder 

 mountainous districts. No nest, eggs being laid in hollow scratched 

 out in turf or soil on ledge or recess of steep cliff as a rule. If ledge 

 is large two or three alternative sites may be found close together, 

 but are usually some distance apart. Exceptionally among 

 heather on low islet and on Continent in old nests on trees. Eggs. — 

 Normally 3-4, very rarely 5, generally covered with reddish-brown 

 markings, varying from orange-tawny to deep red, sometimes very 

 dark brown. In some varieties a good deal of light ground visible 

 and cloudy -ashy shell-marks as well as surface markings. Average 

 of 100 British eggs, 51.8x41. Max.: 58.6x43.8 and 49.8 X 



