THE TEREGHINE FALCON. 
19 
removed, no more are laid until tlie next season. Tlie old birds 
are much bolder than Eagdes at such times, and fly close round 
his head during the whole of his unwelcome visit. 
At all seasons, the Peregrine is especially partial to rock 
doves as an article of food; but so swift is their flight, and so 
perfect their command of wing, that they very frequently elude 
pursuit and escape to their caves. Long observation has con- 
vinced me that the Peregrine seldom or never strikes its prey 
while the latter is upon the ground ; why, I am unable to con- 
jecture, unless it be to avoid the sudden shock. Any person 
who has seen one strike a bird in the air must have observed 
that the force of the collision has caused a rapid descent of 
many yards, and it is easy to imagine that a very severe shock 
might be the result of a swoop upon an object resting on the 
ground.’^ It is highly probable that in striking a flying bird 
the hind claw only is used; for in newly killed specimens, 
blood, down, and feathers are frequently seen adhering to that 
claw alone. It is well known, however, that it sometimes 
takes its prey from the ground, but in a different manner. I 
have seen it leisurely follow a rabbit, and drop quietly down 
upon it as an owl drops down upon a mouse. There is no 
terrific swoop, and no long gaping wound is inflicted, for these 
are only necessary when the victim happens to be a bird 
driven by terror to its utmost speed. Several times, after a 
bird has been struck, I have picked it up with the head nearly 
torn off, evidently by the hind claw of the pursuer, although 
certain of our sages stoutly maintain that the Peregrine always 
strikes with its breast, or with “a particular part of tlie wing,” 
and that they have even shot specimens having a peculiarly 
shaped bone in front of the breast, which was doubtless em- 
ployed for that purpose. 
Of its unwillingness to strike a bird in the water, I was once 
* The author apparently forgets the day when Ave stood together as hoys, and 
watched a sparrowhawk dash down upon a ground prey with such force that 
the concussion was loudly heard at the distance of some eighty yards. The 
bird lay motionless for a few seconds, but long before we could reach the spot, 
running as schoolboys might be expected to run under such circumstances, 
it was up and making off with its spoil, apparently none the worse. — E d. 
