4 
PEREGRINE FALCON. 
short distance over the surface. The Falcon had never, while in his sight, either captured or struck any of 
these birds, being possibly unwilling to make the attempt while they were over the water or until they were 
well on wing. Pywipes (local name for Peewits) he had seen flown at on two or three occasions, and a 
single bird struck down and left. Once in his presence the Hawk had driven down a covey of Partridges 
into a dry ditch under a fence ; and from this cover they refused to emerge while their enemy remained close 
at hand. On making further inquiries of another gunner who was working my second boat, I found his 
evidence was much the same with regard to the attacks on Coots and Partridges ; but the only bird he had 
seen struck was a Sandy-head Poker (local name for the Pochard), which had risen with a bunch of fourteen 
or fifteen others in front of his boat and been knocked down, lie himself had made an attempt to secure it ; 
but after divine a short distance, it had fluttered into a reed-bed and escaped. The remarks of these two 
men concerning the habits of the Peregrine were much what I should have expected from the knowledge 
I have acquired while watching the bird in their district. 
In the matter of food the Falcon accommodates itself to the locality it inhabits, preying on Grouse, Plover, 
Ducks, and Pigeons in the Highlands, sea-birds (such as the smaller Gulls and Guillemots) on the islands, and 
Partridges, Pigeons, and even the young of the domestic Fowl in the south. This noble bird, however, I am 
almost ashamed to state, docs not despise an occasional meal off such humble fare as a Rook ; and, though 
the instances have been far from numerous that have come under my own observation, it will at times even 
condescend to make shift with either a Carrion or Grey Crow. For any one to attempt to give the true bill 
of fare of a Peregrine is perfectly impossible, as on examining a dozen breeding-places there might be found 
the remains of different victims on each. 
How the existence of such a rapacious species on preserved moors is beneficial to the well-being of the 
Grouse, I confess I can scarcely understand. From what I have myself seen I cannot believe that a Falcon 
will, as a rule, prey upon diseased or weakly birds (I could credit it of a Buzzard, or even of the Eagle 
or Kite) ; still this is the doctrine that is preached by many who have written on the subject. That his 
admirers should term him a scavenger is, I consider, a poor compliment to this fine bird : far better to 
describe him in his true colours as a bold and pitiless marauder, and trust that British sportsmen have too 
great a respect for the few wild creatures left in our islands to order his total extermination. The plea that 
some naturalists put forward, viz. that the presence of the wild Falcon causes Grouse to lie to dogs till late in 
the season, will not hold good in every case. I have seen some few districts where Peregrines and all kinds of 
vermin were abundant enough to suit the taste of even their most ardent supporters ; but, strange to relate, 
the few Grouse that remained were wilder than even the Hawks themselves. The fact that the artificial Kite 
has been invented to aid shooters (I was going to say sportsmen, but I consider my second thoughts more 
appropriate) to make a bag is certainly a strong argument in favour of the presence of Falcons on a moor. 
This, however, is a subject on which I can state little or nothing (beyond what I have read), as I have never 
yet seen one of these machines in operation. From what I have heard, this method, if frequently resorted 
to, is understood to drive birds from the district ; I should be of opinion that too many Falcons would 
have much the same effect. 
It must be a rare occurrence for the Peregrine to condescend to make a meal off any prey that he has not 
procured by his own exertions, as I have never obtained a single specimen in a baited trap, neither have I 
ever heard of but one being taken by keepers in this manner. The captured bird, I was informed, had 
received some injury to one of its legs, caused probably by a wound from a large shot or bullet. It was in 
poor condition ; and without doubt its weakness rendered it incapable of obtaining its food in the natural 
manner. Some writers affirm that this species will never condescend to take prey unless it is seized on wing ; 
this statement, I am afraid, is hardly correct, as on two or three occasions I have noticed unfledged young 
brought to their brood. 
