FALCO PEREGRINUS.

Peregrine Falcon.

Falco peregrinus et communis, Gmel. et auct., F. calidus, Lath. ; F. abietinus, Bechst. ; F. micrurus, Hodgs.
Bhyri of the Hindoos ; Bas of the Bucharians ; and Basi of the Persians.

 

To enumerate the parts of Great Britain and Ireland frequented by the Peregrine would be superfluous,
since it is universally, though sparingly, dispersed over the three kingdoms wherever situations occur adapted
to its habits; these are generally, though not exclusively, precipitous rocks in the neighbourhood of the
ocean, and bold headlands, such as Beachy Head and the cliffs of the Isle of Wight, Lulworth Cove, Wales,
and Holyhead. In Scotland, the Bass Rock and all similar situations, both on the mainland and in the
islands, are frequented by it; and the same may be said of the sister kingdom of Ireland, where its numbers
are neither diminished nor augmented, similar conditions alone being necessary for its presence. The other
countries inhabited by this bird are the continent of Europe generally, Greenland, and probably Arctic
America. That it also extends its range to Northern Africa, India, Borneo, the Amoor, China, and Japan is
certain, from the evidence of various writers, and from the fact of my having received specimens from
nearly all those countries. Birds intimately allied to the Falco peregrinus are also found in North America,
Cape Horn, at the Cape of Good Hope, in India, and in Australia, all of which, although closely resembling
each other, possess distinctive characteristics, and have rightly, I think, been regarded as so many
species; they are the Kaleo anatum of North America, the /. minor of South Africa, the F. tunetanus of
North Africa, the F. peregrinator of India, and the F. melanogenys of Australia. These distinctions being
admitted, the Peregrines form an important section of the Falconidz, instead of constituting a single
species, as was formerly supposed; they are all of similar habits, and they are alike destined to perform
similar offices in the great scheme of nature.

The Peregrine is the Falcon ‘ par excellence” employed in the noble sport of Falconry; but into this
part of its history it will not be necessary for me to enter, so many excellent works having been written on
the subject, to one of which I would, however, especially direct attention, namely, the magnificent ‘ Traité
de Fauconnerie’ of my friend Dr. Schlegel of Leyden. In days gone by, our ancestors devoted much of
their time to this noble sport, preserved and cherished the Peregrine by every means in their power, and
punished its destruction or molestation with great severity, many instances of which are on record.

During the period of incubation and the rearing of its progeny, when the oceanic cliffs are resonted
to, it preys upon Gulls, Guillemots, Rock Pigeons, Plovers, and nearly every ciheavag which occurs within
the area of its particular beat, and vast indeed is the destruction of life in the neiphbounhood of its eymies
In autumn the Peregrine often retires inland and takes up a position in parts likely to afford it a plentiful
supply of food, particularly wooded parks and domains in the Bets Houmieo of large waters mreqnicmaeH
by ducks, coots, and other water-fowl, to which it appears to be especially partial ; and in such localities
it would probably always remain until the next breeding-season, if left unmolested. Of this feature
in the bird’s economy I have some certain and curious evidence forwarded to me from Coombe Abbey,
Warwickshire, by Mr. James Burdett, keeper to the Karl of Craven, who, unlike keepers in general, has, much
to his credit, evinced a desire to preserve rather than to destroy this fine bird, —a line of conduct which has
not only met with Lord Craven's approval, but which will be duly appreciated by every lover of a o
the 25th of March, 1856, Burdett writes, “‘ There has been for the last four or five years a Foregony) anc
sometimes two, on the trees skirting the large water at Coombe Abbey. I have often Been them take Coots,
On Sunday the 13th I saw one of them strike six Bald Coots quite dead, but it did

Moor-hens, Ducks, &c.
: While Charles Lachlan Harris, Esq., and

not take any further notice of them as regards taking them or food. ee ae
I were fishing yesterday, the 24th, the Peregrine came within five or a yards o a “ oF te moe
a Bald Coot by the head and carried it nearly ashore, but, on my calling out, droppec it; in two oF e
ized another Coot by the head as before, and took it in his talons to the shore, a
ards; I pushed after him, and when I had arrived yatnnabour
- he had dislocated its neck, and commenced picking its

On dissection I found the neck dislocated at the third joint

minutes he came again, se
distance of about one hundred and fifty y
thirty yards, he flew off, leaving the Coot behind

Peels ee
breast. I send you this bird for examination. ! . |
; arance as if the sharp point of the hind claw had penetrated the brain at the
alia ic

from the head, and an appe ; ae ue
as the amazing rapidity with which the Peregrine skimmed

i i . h w
occiput. Burdett informed me that suc ve ae
a surface of the water, that the Coot had no chance of escaping either by diving or by flight. Dr.

‘ 30. savs, “The Peregrine has returned to Coombe,
Troughton of Coventry, ina note dated October 12th, 1860, says, The Peregri ;

: % reoar regoing information with much
pie : : Dieeons.” Now I regard the foregoing in
committing devastation among the Coots and Pigeo g