THE FALCONS. 
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as distinct, but they can never be considered more than races 
of the ordinary Peregrine, for our European bird varies greatly 
in the colour of the face, having the sides of the latter some- 
times white, and sometimes entirely black, while the amount 
of rufous on the under surface of the body also varies greatly, 
being more rufous in some individuals than others. Thus 
examples from Greenland and those from Egypt are very 
richly tinted, and it is supposed that the abundance of ducks 
and other prey has something to do with their finer appear- 
ance. 
HaWts.— From its bold spirit and fiery dash, the Peregrine 
P'alcon has always been considered the best bird for the pur- 
poses of Falconry, not only in Europe, but also in the countries 
of the East. 
In a wild state the Peregrine feeds on all kinds of game, 
rabbits, grouse, partridges, pigeons, and largely on ducks, 
water-fowl, and sea-birds, and for the sake of the abundance 
of the latter its eyrie is often found on the rocky cliffs, where 
Puffins and Guillemots congregate. Sometimes, when bringing 
food to its young, it will, apparently for mere wantonness, strike 
down a Gull or Puffin that happens to fly in its path, and send 
the bird headlong into the sea below. Choughs, Rooks, and 
Magpies arc also captured by the P'alcons. 
The nesting-place is tenanted year after year, and if one of 
the birds be shot or trapped, the survivor is not long in fuiding 
another mate. The breeding-season commences in April. 
Nest.— In this country the nest of the Peregrine Falcon is to 
be found in high and almost inaccessible cliffs, a mere hollow 
being formed, without any real attempt at a nest, but in other 
‘ countries, the old nest of a Rook or Heron, or some other bird, 
in a tree, is selected, while in the north of Europe the bird 
nests on the ground in the open. Beyond the debris of cast- 
up pellets, bones of birds and animals, and a few scattered 
feathers, nothing like a real nest is ever found. 
• Eggs. — Two or three, and sometimes four in number. The 
eggs of the Peregrine are richly clouded with some shade of 
chestnut, over which are some mottlingsof darker rufous, often 
almost black in intensity. Sometimes the colour is uniform 
