PEREGRINE FALCON. 



359 



low ; the toes long-, and furnished with a projection callous beneath, at 

 the second joint. 



*Montagu was of opinion, that many varieties of this had been described 

 as distinct species, by authors, in which he has been followed by Tem- 

 minck, Selby, and other naturalists, as will be seen by reference to the 

 synonimes. From its nature, the Peregrine Falcon is limited to certain 

 districts, choosing- only the mountainous parts, where it can settle on 

 the shelving rock of some stupendous cliff, and breed in security, and 

 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 seasons, and from which they seldom retire, except for occa- 

 sional migratory purposes, or when the young are driven to seek fresh 

 quarters* 



Mr. Pennant informs us that the rock of Llandedno, in Caernarvon- 

 shire, was famous for producing a generous breed of this species in the 

 days of falconry, and in more recent days, the stupendous rock on which 

 the Castle of Dumbarton stands, has been famous for a good breed. 

 When in this neighbourhood one summer, Colonel Montagu had an op- 

 portunity of examining the larder of these depredators, which might 

 have supplied a luxurious table, though not equal, perhaps, to that of the 

 Bishop of Gevaudan, supplied from the nest of the ring-tailed eagle, as 

 described by Dr. Shaw. From the front of the summit of this rock, 

 the nest was visible, placed on a projecting ledge, and near the young 

 were several heath poults, red grous, and other birds. 



In daring disposition this noble bird equals or surpasses most of its 

 congeners, while the more ignoble birds of prey, not endowed with the 

 courage necessary to attack a quarry larger than themselves, are con- 

 tented with the smaller birds and animals, which they can prey upon 

 at leisure, and thus indulge their unquenchable thirst of blood. Those 

 of a more bold and intrepid nature, cannot risk an advantage they have 

 obtained by dexterity, over an animal infinitely superior to them in 

 bodily strength, and therefore we find that in these, the first object 

 of attack is the vital parts, in order to secure their prey as expe- 

 ditiously as possible by death, and thereby prevent the chance of 

 losing it, or receiving an injury by prolonging the struggle. If the 

 buzzard is presented with a bird which he dare venture to seize, he 

 plucks the feathers and begins his repast indiscriminately at any part 

 where he may chance to draw blood ; whereas, the intrepid Peregrine, 

 knowing the extent of its power compared with its most powerful an- 

 tagonist, the heron, aims at the head or upper part of the neck, as the 



