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THE FALCON. 
low ; the irides of the eye dusky ; and the whole plumage 
of a whitish hue, marked with dark lines on the breast, and 
dusky spots on the back. 
The Peregrine Falcon , which is the most common kind, 
is as large as the moor buzzard. The bill is blue at the 
base, and black at the point; the head, back, scapulars, 
and coverts of the wings are barred with deep black and 
blue; the throat, neck, and upper part of the breast are 
white, tinged with yellow ; the bottom of the breast, belly, 
and thighs are of a grayish white ; and the tail is black 
and blue. 
Wilson enumerates no less than ten varieties, dependent 
chiefly upon age, sex, and country. It is found, more or 
less abundantly, throughout the whole of Europe, princi- 
pally in the mountain districts in North, and probably 
South America, and in New Holland, dwelling in the clefts 
of rocks, especially such as are exposed to the mid-day sun. 
It breeds upon the cliffs in several parts of England, but 
appears to be more common in Scotland and Wales. Its 
food consists principally of small birds ; but it scruples not 
to attack the larger species, and sometimes gives battle 
even to the kite. 
Falcons rarely take their prey upon the ground, like the 
more ignoble birds of the class to which they belong ; but 
pounce upon it from aloft, in a directly perpendicular 
descent as it flies through the air, bear it downwards by the 
united impulse of the strength and rapidity of their attack, 
