FALCONS. 
districts in the interior of the country, the peregrine is best known in England as 
a migrant. These migratory individuals are chiefly birds of the first year, and are 
most commonly met with in autumn; but there are also a certain number of old 
birds which make their appearance in spring on their northward journey. Although 
nearly always nesting on some lofty cliff, there are instances of its having bred in 
an open marsh, and also in a tree. The nest is usually of large size, and generally 
contains four eggs, which are remarkable for the depth of the colour of their red 
blotchings. Feeding chiefly on birds of different kinds, the peregrine undoubtedly 
kills a considerable quantity of game. Professor Newton is of opinion, however, 
that the harm it inflicts is not so great as might at first appear to be the case, 
i8 3 
southern form, known as the black-cheeked falcon ( Fmelanogenys), which ranges 
to Australia, and is distinguished by its redder and more finely-barred plumage. 
Ornithologists are now pretty well agreed that the peregrine of North America— 
where it is commonly known as the duck-hawk—is merely a variety of the 
European species; but in Chili and the adjacent parts of South America we meet 
with another form, apparently allied to the black-cheeked falcon, and known as 
F. nigriceps, or F. cassine. 
Breeding on the cliffs of the sea-coast in the south, and in the more mountainous 
CAST OF PEREGRINES—RED FALCON AND BLUE TIERCEL. 
