•2 PBBBOEIKB FALCON'.
of these evolutions. They must have been in view fur at least a couple of miles, as they maile a curve right
rounil [lie hill on u hieli 1 was standing, paaalng u iihiu the iHntHlfltl OÍ Mtj yards—so close, in hot, that the rush
of their wings as Hie attacking lard swooped down and suddenly cheeked itself were plainly audible. T then
iliscovrrod them to he a pair of Peregrines, the female in pursuit of the male. They continued their course
in the same manner right out of sight, disappearing from view in the line of the Lizard. From tho
regularity of their movement* I imagine they were simply engaged in sport. I have watched the male
and female White-tailed Eagle flying in somewhat the same style: only the latter pursued their course
in regular overlapping circles; there was nothing approaching the rapid mount and dashing swoop of these
two Peregrines.
There is not the slightest doubt that this Falcon is most destructivo to game. Grouse are peril a [is the
greatest sufferers from its attacks; but every other member of the family, with the exception of the
Caperenillie, which is probably too heavy, is carried olf by this dashing robber. The damage he effects would
not be so extensive or conspicuous if he merely contented himself by satisfying the cravings of his appetite
or the requirements oí his brood. There is, however, no denying the fact that, in addition to those be needs
as food, he strikes numberless victims for the mere pleasure of slaying. This unfortunate propensity has, I
believe, been contradicted by naturalists and falconers; it is nevertheless well known to those who have studied
the habits of the hint in a wild state. I have watched Grouse struck down on more than one occasion,
and not the slightest notice taken of their full, the Falcon continuing his tlight alter the retreating pack with
undiminished speed. This has taken place both during a Grouse-drive and also when a pack has simply
incurred the displeasure of the tyrant by passing within a short distance of the crag of rock on which he was
resting. Falconers, I am aware, when a charge of this description is brought forward, argue that the Falcon
was prevented from following its prey to the ground by the presence of witnesses. If this were invariably the
ease, why does the Hawk make a second attack except for the sake of slaughter? 1 once ohser\ed two
Grouse struck «ilhin a distance of a few hundred yards, both birds being entirely disregarded and left where
they fell. In order to ascertain if the Falcon ever returned to these roiuulns, I visited some of them
repeatedly ; but although Grey Crows and Havens were occasionally attracted to the spot, I have seen no signs
of tin- l'ercgrinc. When one has been disturbed from prey on which it was feeding, it will, I believe, usually
return to complete its meal, but never when the victim has been struck down and totally disregarded at the
time. Several ki-cpers and foresters with whom I discussed the subject have given evidence to the same eH'eet;
and the scores of dead bodies that I have passed at different times on the hills (minus the head or lacerated on
the neck or backl plainly indicate the manner in which they have been destroyed.
I t is not on the moors only that I have noticed these destructive habits. While fishing on one of the
larger broads in the eastern counties my attention was attracted by the rapid movements of a flock of three or
four hundred Starlings which bad been wheeling backwards and forwards over the marshes. Suddenly they
collected into a compact body at a considerable height from the ground, and in an instant a l'ercgrinc, with the
rapidity or a thunderbolt, swooped down from the clouds, scattering the Ihiok in all directions, and leaving
three or four dead or disabled birds fluttering helplessly downwards while, without cheeking his course, be
dashed after a Grey Crow, winch he pursued within a short distance oí my punt, and then, apparently startled,
turned olf in au opposite direction. On the sea-coast also (and here, perhaps, more frequently than in other
situation") the Peregrine exhibits bis predilection for slaughter. While lunching one summer among the
ruins of the old fort i II eat ions on the liass Itoek, two audible shocks were noticed within the space of a few
moments, giving the impression that Large stones had rolled from tho upper part of tho rock. On searching
the direction from which the sounds proceeded, we discoverd a couple of frcsh-killed Guillemots lying on tho
ground among the roofless buildings. The Falcon must have swooped over our heads; but, owing to the
constant stream of passing Gnnnots and other sea-birds, be bad not attracted our attention. On other
PEREGRINE FALCON. 3
occasions I have frequently met with both Kittiwakcs, Razorbills, Guillemots, and Puffins dead upon the Hock ;
and I have no doubt that the Peregrine was in every case responsible for the slaughter. In my unte-liooks,
which 1 have regularly kept for over twenty years, I can refer hack to instances in over a dozen Scotch and
English counties, as well as in two or three of the adjacent islands, where I have actually witnessed either
this destructive propensity or the unmistakable victims that have been struck down*.
It is of course impossible to convince any one who is thoroughly satisfied that the Peregrine w ill look for
prey but once in twenty-four hours and will never destroy life unnecessarily • 1, however, simply state what
I balieTe to 1« true from my own experience. Those whose opinions dilfer will deny that tho dead Grouse
were the victims of the Falcon, suggesting that they owed their death either to disease or wounds, or tho
attacks of some other vermin. I should not have brought such a sweeping accusation against, a species I
admire ns one of the most interesting of our native birds, had I not carefully examined several of 1 hose dead
bodies. I have shot the Falcon when in possession of a Grouse, found carcases on the ledges they frequent,
and picked up those I have Watched struck down. The hijurles inflicted by the stroke of the l'ercgrinc,
though usually severe, do not necessarily prove fatal; at all events the bird is not on every occasion
instantly deprived of life, whatever might lie the ultimate result. From the position in which the dead
liodics were found, from the character of the injuries, and from the state of the remains, I have come
to the conclusion that the Peregrine alone can be responsible. The healthy state of the feathers, tho
condition of the bodies, as well as the localities in which liny were discovered and the manner in which
they lay, would preclude the idea that disease was the cause of death. A wounded bird will, as we all
well know, occasionally fly a considerable distance and fall in any position; but the majority that escape
for the time and eventually perish from etlects of gunshots, usually creep into some secure retreat, and 11»111
pine away and die. The Sparrow-llaw k and Merlin may, as some falconers assert, he guilty or deslroying
a few Grouse; I must, however, confess that not a single instance has come under my own observation.
With regard to four-footed vermin, the manner in which they setae and kill their prey cannot fail to leave
marks that are easily recognized. Even if disturbed and pursued, the fox, as a rule, bears oil' his pi,.y ; but
feathers leave a trace more or less visible from tho very spot where it was captured to either the earth or the
place when1 it was devoured. The work of a stoat can mislead no one used to study llieir mode of slaughter;
and wild eats were few and far between, it not totally absent from the localities where 1 have met with the
greatest number of remains. Iu addition to the birds previously mentioned, I have seen one or two cases
where Rlackgaiue and Plover were wantonly slaughtered. Ducks, Coot-, Hooks, anil Snipe appear to be also
frequent sufferers.
I t would lie useless to repeat any of the accounts of the damaue inflicted on game by this s'recies that I
have heard from keepers or gillies, as I am well aware that both scientific naturalists and falconers are pleased
to consider all such men both ignorant and lazy and only too glad to bring unfounded charges against the
poor Peregrine in order to account for their own shortcoming! and neglect of duty. It is not, however, from
kee|K'rs and their assistants alone that 1 have received evidence that corroborates my own experiences. While
gunning on the east coast during the present month (December 1*-1), a Peregrine passed within a short
distance of the boot ; and, pointing out the bird, I inquired of my puntman if he was acquainted with the
species. The local name, 1 discovered, was the " Ciame-Ilawk ;" and the bird was well known to the natives.
The man also staled he well remembered, many years ago, picking up a pair of Coots which bad been struck
down on one of the marshes and tell, liolh being quite dead, lte bad also more than once noticed ibis
species attacking the large flocks of Coots that frequent these waters, driving the birds into Coliqiact bodies
and causing the greatest consternation in their ranks, none dnrine; to lake wing, but occasionally napping a