BRITISH BIRDS 



birds as large as wild Geese — Pigeons, Grouse, and other species, struck down 

 while in full flight by a lightning stoop from above, the Falcon always striving 

 to get above its quarry in order to deliver the fatal stroke : the velocity of this 

 downward rush is almost incredible, and even during a stern chase " the speed 

 is extraordinary. I have seen one in full career after a small flock of Golden 

 Plover, and never remember observing any birds fly so fast. From constant 

 practice wild Peregrines are able, by skill and wing power, to capture the Peewit, 

 which often baffles any but the best-trained Hawks by its rapid turns and shifts. 

 When the Falcon takes to soaring, it can rise to an immense height, and frequently 

 passes out of sight. This fine bird is ruthlessly and needlessly persecuted and 

 done to death by many game preservers. 



The late Lord Lilford, while stating that the Peregrine can and does take 

 Grouse and Partridges when she gets a fair chance and is hungry, adds "but it 

 must be remembered that as a rule she captures her * quarry ' in the air, and 

 that our common game-birds just mentioned are of terrestrial habits and certainly 

 by no means willing to take wing when a Falcon is in sight, but do their utmost 

 to squat close and conceal themselves, so that they are by no means the habitual 

 or even (in my opinion) a particularly favourite prey of the Peregrine." 



Two examples of the American Peregrine or Duck-Hawk, Falco anatum, have 

 occurred in England, the first shot by Mr. W. Whitaker, on 31st October 1891, at 

 Newbold Verdon, near Market Bosworth, Leicestershire, and now in his possession, 

 and the other netted on the Lincolnshire coast, 28th September 1910, and re- 

 corded by Mr. G. H. Caton Haigh. This race is said to be larger and darker than 

 our bird, but according to Elliot Coues {Key to North- American Birds), it varies a 

 good deal in size and colour. This Falcon inhabits the greater part of North 

 America. 



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