THE TEKEGRINE FALCON. 
testimony to that of others. It would seem that in some 
respects, the American duck-hawk differs from its European 
relative. Pennant says, “ the American species is larger than 
the European.” With regard to the latter, the same authority 
observes : — “ This species breeds on the rocks of Llandidno, 
in Caernarvonshire, Wales. That promontory has been long- 
famed for producing a generous kind, as appears by a letter 
extant in Gloddaeth library, from the lord treasurer Burleigh 
to an ancestor of Sir Roger Mostyn, in which his lordship 
thanks him for a present of a fine cast of hawks, taken on 
those rocks, which belong to the family. They are also very 
common in the north of Scotland, and are sometimes trained 
for falconry by some gentlemen who still take delight in this 
amusement, in that part of Great Britain. Their flight is 
amazingly rapid; one that was reclaimed by a gentleman in 
the shire of Angus, a county on the east side of Scotland, 
eloped from its master with two heavy bells attached to each 
foot, on the 24th of September, 1773, and was killed on the 
morning of the 26th, near Mostyn, Flintshire.” 
A final paragraph in favour of the peregrine falcon, in con- 
nection with its affection for its progeny. Sir John Richardson 
is the witness. He says : — ■“ We noticed a peregrine falcon’s 
nest, placed on the cliff of a sandstone rock. Mr. M‘Pherson 
related to me one of its feats, which he witnessed some years 
previously as he was ascending the river. A white owl, in 
flying over a cliff, seized and carried off an unfledged peregrine 
in its claws, and, crossing to the opposite beach, lighted to 
devour it. The parent bird followed, screaming loudly, and, 
stooping with extreme rapidity, killed the owl by a single 
blow, after which it flew quickly back to its nest. On coming 
to the spot, Mr. MTherson picked up the owl, but, though he 
examined it narrowly, he could not detect in what part the 
death-blow had been received ; nor could he, from the distance, 
perceive whether the peregrine struck it with wing or claws.” 
