2 
PEREG11INE FALCON. 
of those evolutions. They must have been in view for at least a couple of mil*. as they made a curve nght 
round the hill on which T was standing, passing within the distance of fifty yards-so close, in fact that the rush 
of their wings as the attacking bird swooped down and suddenly cheeked itself were plain y audible. I then 
discovered them to be a pair of Peregrines, the female in pursuit of the male. They continued their course 
in the same manner right out of sight, disappearing from view in the line of the Lizard. Piom the 
regularity of their movements I imagine they were simply engaged in sport. I have watched the male 
and female White-tailed Eagle flying in somewhat the same style : only the latter pursued their course 
in regular overlapping circles ; there was nothing approaching the rapid mount and dashing swoop of these 
two Peregrines. 
There is not the slightest doubt that this Falcon is most destructive to game. Grouse arc perhaps the 
greatest sufferers from its attacks ; but every other member of the family, witli the exception of the 
Capercaillie, which is probably too heavy, is carried off by this dashing robber. The damage he effects would 
not be so extensive or conspicuous if lie merely contented himself by satisfying the cravings of liis appetite 
or the requirements of bis brood. There is, however, no denying the fact that, in addition to those lie needs 
as food, lie strikes numberless victims for the mere pleasure of slaying. This unfortunate propensity lias, I 
believe, been contradicted by naturalists and falconers ; it is nevertheless well known to those who have studied 
the habits of the bird in a wild state. I have watched Grouse struck down on more than one occasion, 
and not the slightest notice taken of their fall, the Falcon continuing his flight after the retreating pack with 
undiminished speed. This has taken place both during a Grouse-drive and also when a pack has simply 
incurred the displeasure of the tyrant by passing within a short distance of the crag of rock on which he was 
resting. Falconers, 1 am aware, when a charge of this description is brought forward, argue that the Falcon 
was prevented from following its prey to the ground by the presence of witnesses. If this were invariably the 
case, why does the Hawk make a second attack except for the sake of slaughter? I once observed two 
Grouse struck within a distance of a few hundred yards, both birds being entirely disregarded and left where 
they fell. In order to ascertain if the Falcon ever returned to these remains, I visited some of them 
repeatedly ; but although Grey Crows and Havens were occasionally attracted to the spot, I have seen no signs 
of the Peregrine. When one has been disturbed from prey on which it was feeding, it will, I believe, usually 
return to complete its meal, but never when the victim has been struck down and totally disregarded at the 
time. Several keepers and foresters with whom I discussed the subject have given evidence to the same effect ; 
and the scores of dead bodies that I have passed at different times on the bills (minus the head or lacerated on 
the neck or back) plainly indicate the manner in which they have been destroyed. 
It is not on the moors only that I have noticed these destructive liabits. While fishing on one of the 
larger broads in the eastern counties my attention was attracted by the rapid movements of a flock of three or 
four hundred Starlings which had been wheeling backwards and forwards over tlie marshes. Suddenly they 
collected into a compact body at a considerable height from the ground, and in an instant a Peregrine, with the 
rapidity of a thunderbolt, swooped down from the clouds, scattering the flock in all directions, and leaving 
three or four dead or disabled birds fluttering helplessly downwards while, without checking his course, he 
dashed after a Grey Crow, which lie pursued within a short distance of my punt, and then, apparently startled, 
turned off in an opposite direction. On the sca-eoast also (and here, perhaps, more frequently than in other 
situations) the Peregrine exhibits bis predilection for slaughter. While lunching one summer among the 
ruins of the old fortifications on the Bass Rock, two audible shocks were noticed within the space of a few 
moments, giving the impression that large stones had rolled from the upper part of the rock. On searching 
the direction from which the sounds proceeded, we discoverd a couple of fresh-killed Guillemots lying on the 
ground among the roofless buildings. 1'lie Falcon must have swooped over our heads ; but, owing to the 
constant stream of passing Gannets and other sea-birds, lie liad not attracted our attention. On other 
