184 
DIURNAL BIRDS OF FRE Y 
since all falcons invariably seize the weakest birds, and the elimination of such 
weaklings is probably to the general advantage of the breed. In North America, 
although by no means common, the peregrine is the most numerously represented 
of all the larger falcons. Captain Bendire writes that in the northern portion 
of its range it is only a summer resident, following the immense flocks of 
water - fowl during their migrations. “ Hares, ptarmigan, grouse, bob - whites, 
pigeons, as well as smaller birds, enter largely into its bill of fare, and the 
poultry-yard as well occasionally suffers. Next to the goshawk, the peregrine 
falcon is our most audacious bird of prey. Its flight, when once fairly started in 
pursuit of its quarry, is amazingly swift; it is seemingly an easy matter for it to 
overtake the fleetest of birds, and when once in its grasp resistance is useless. I 
have seen this falcon strike a teal almost within gunshot of me, kill it apparently 
instantaneously from the force of the shock, and fly away with it without visible 
struggle, and as easily as if it had been a sparrow instead of a bird of its own 
weight.” 
Use in Hawking. 
From its docile disposition, its powerful flight, and the ease with 
which it can be procured, the peregrine has always been a favourite 
bird in falconry, and is the one most commonly employed in the modern revival of 
that sport. In falconry it is the female only that is termed the “ falcon ”; the 
male bird being designated the “ tiercel,” corrupted into “ tarsel.” While the tiercel 
was commonly flown at partridges and occasionally at magpies, herons, and next 
to them rooks, were the favourite quarry for the falcon. In heron-hawking, the 
birds were intercepted on their way home, and, if possible, when flying against the 
wind. When a heron was viewed, a cast or pair of falcons was loosed ; and there¬ 
upon pursuers and pursued immediately began to try and soar above the other, 
the heron lightening himself by disgorging his food. The falcons fly in a spiral, 
and as soon as one has gained a position of advantage and made its swoop, it 
should be succeeded by its fellow; the manoeuvre being repeated until the heron 
is brought to the ground. In striking, the falcon attacks only with its claws, 
and not, as often represented, with its beak. In India the peregrine, locally 
known as the bhyri, used to be employed by the native chiefs in hawking egrets, 
stalks, herons, cranes, etc.; only a single bird being flown at each quarry. The 
smaller shahin, or royal falcon was, however, held in still higher estimation for 
this sport. It may be added that the shahin differs from the peregrine by the 
more rufous tinge of its under-parts, and its dark head and nape. 
With the Indian turumti falcon (F. chicquerci), which scarcely 
exceeds the common kestrel in size, we come to much smaller 
representatives of the present section of the genus. This species resembles the 
peregrines in having the feathers of the thighs distinctly barred, but is at once 
distinguished from that group by the chestnut-coloured head, nape, and cheek- 
stripe. The rest of the upper-parts are pale grey, with dark markings, the quills 
being dark slaty, and the tail light grey, with a broad black terminal band tipped 
with white. The lower surface is white to the breast, behind which there are 
narrow cross-bars of dusky grey. The beak is greenish yellow at the base, while 
the cere and legs are bright yellow. This species is confined to India, but is replaced 
in Africa by the rather paler tawny-headed falcon (F. ruficollis), which is perhaps 
Turumti Falcon. 
