THE MOVEMENTS. 
33 
to one.* The Pigeon again is, in the velocity of its 
flight, far behind the Falcon, and still more so in 
comparison with the Swift ( Cypselus ). The larger varieties 
of the former will strike the fleetest Pigeon, unless it is 
able to obtain shelter, and during the chase, cover great 
distances with inconceivable rapidity. Montagu calcu¬ 
lates the speed of our Peregrine Falcon (F. peregrinus ) to 
be at the rate of 800,000 feet an hour. I, myself, have 
often observed with what extraordinary rapidity the Ger 
Falcon dashes down from a height, so that this large 
bird appeared like a shadow, reminding me of an arrow 
in the air, or- a shell from a howitzer. This rapidity 
of movement is, probably, surpassed by no other 
bird; though the direct flight of the Ger Falcon is 
certainly not the most rapid we can find.* The true 
Swifts here carry off the palm: these are in reality 
“ clippers” of the air, the only place, however, where 
they are at hom6; on the earth they are strangers. It 
is only when roosting or breeding that they approach it, 
and then only the higher cliffs and walls, to the sides of 
which they can cling with their sharp claws, and into 
whose rifts and clefts they can crawl. On the level 
* Rogers describes the Pigeon’s flight in the following lines:— 
“ Led by what chart, transports the timid Dove 
The wreaths of conquest, or the vows of love ? 
Say, through the clouds what compass points her flight ? 
Monarchs have gazed, and nations blessed the sight. 
Pile rocks on rocks, bid woods and mountains rise, 
Eclipse her native shades, her native skies:—■ 
’Tis vain ! thro’ Ether’s pathless wilds she goes 
And lights at last where all her cares repose. 
Sweet bird ! thy truth shall Harlem’s walls attest, 
And unborn ages consecrate thy nest.” 
During the siege of Paris every one has experienced how useful these birds can be 
made.— H. M. L. 
F 
