116 



TvTATURAL HISTORY 



r may not retire into that element, yet they 

 may conceal themselves in the banks of 



: pools and rivers during the uncomfortable 

 months of Winter. 



One of the keepers of Wolmer-forest sent 

 me a peregrine falcon, which he shot on the 

 verge of that district as it was devouring a 

 wood-pigeon. The falco peregrinus, or 

 haggard falcon, is a noble species of hawk 

 seldom seen in the southern counties. In 

 Winter 1767 one was killed in the neigh- 

 bouring parish of Faringdon, and sent by 

 me to Mr. Pennant into North Wales.* 

 Since that time I have met with none till 

 now. The specimen mentioned above was 

 in fine preservation, and not injured by 

 the shot : it measured forty-two inches 

 from wing to wing, and twenty-one from 

 beak to tail, and weighed two pounds and 

 a half standing weight. This species is 

 very robust, and wonderfully formed for 

 rapine : its breast was plump and muscular ; 

 its thighs long, thick, and brawny; and 

 its legs remarkably short and well-set : the 



* See my tenth and eleventh letter to that gentleman. 



