THE PEREGRINE FALCON 
to join the council, and the falcon dropped 
like a plummet. The quarry heard the rustle 
of his wings, but before she could sheer aside 
he struck her across the loins. She fell head- 
long to the transept roof dragging him after 
her. The jackdaw parliament broke up in 
dismay. What thing was this, that this butt 
of theirs, stupid as an owl, a fellow-lurker with 
bats, should turn the 
tables thus ? Prepos- 
terous, absurd ! They 
argued and cursed, half- 
terrified half- curious, 
while the falcon on the 
transept gable enjoyed 
the first full gorge 
which he had had for 
a week, and prodigally 
dropped what he could 
not devour. He preened 
himself and polished his 
empurpled bill against the stone, then he 
leisurely took wing, and the daws had a 
glimpse of keen eyes and talons to which a 
dusky feather still adhered. This was no silly 
kestrel to be mobbed and mocked. The jeer 
was cut short. Silently and with flick of wings 
the whole band dived over the edge of the 
parapet. But the falcon had before him some- 
D 49 
