THE FALCON. 
33 
and sticking their talons into its flesh, carry it off in tri- 
umph to the place of their retreat. Like most predatory 
animals, they are stimulated to action by the pressure of 
hunger alone, and remain inactive and almost motionless 
while the process of digestion is going on, and until the 
renewed cravings of their appetite stimulate them to fur- 
ther exertion. 
In different stages of its growth, the Peregrine Falcon 
has been known by various English names. Its proper 
appellation among falconers is the Slight Falcon, the term 
Falcon G-entle being equally applicable to all the species 
when rendered manageable. In the immature state, this 
Falcon ia also called a Red Hawk, from the prevailing 
colour of its plumage. The male is called a Tiercel, to dis- 
tinguish it from the female, which, in the Falcon tribe, is 
most commonly one-third larger than the male. 
ILLUSTRATIVE ANECDOTES. 
In China there is said to be a variety which is mottled 
with brown and yellow. These birds are said to be used 
by the emperor of China in his sporting excursions, when 
he is usually attended by his great falconer, and a thousand 
of inferior rank. Every bird has a silver plate fastened to 
its foot, with the nam£ of the falconer who has the charge 
of it, that, in case it should be lost, it may be restored to 
the proper person ; but if it should not be found, the name 
is delivered to another officer, called the guardian of 
