CHAPTER II. GYR, PEREGRINE, HOBBY, RED-FOOTED FALCONS Now soars on high, magnificently proud, Yon gallant Falcon, 'mid the scudding cloud, Daring the lordly Heron to the war.-H. D. M. E have now to speak of the true Falcons, of which we stands THE GYR, or GER-FALCON, sometimes called the Iceland, or Greenland, Falcon - a name indicative of the northern regions, where it is chiefly to be found. It is a beautiful and powerful bird, and was highly valued, in the times when falconry was practised, for its courage and docility; a pair of Ger Falcons was then a suitable gift for a king. Falco gyrfalco, or Falco Islandicus, is the scientific name applied to this bird by most naturalists. It has a remarkably compact and robust form, and all its motions indicate spirit, activity, and vigour. The plumage of both sexes is white, with grey markings. Specimens of the bird have been frequently taken in this country; but it does not breed with us, and can only be considered as a stray visitor therefore it need not occupy much of our attention. Dr. Richardson mentions that, in his journeyings over some of the most sterile wastes of North America, he was attacked by a pair of these birds, while climbing in the vicinity of their nest, which was built on a lofty precipice, on the borders of Point Lake, in lat. 651°. He says: 'They flew in circles, uttering loud and harsh screams, and alternately stooping with such velocity that their motion through the air produced a loud rushing noise. They struck their claws within an inch or two of my head. I endeavoured, by keeping the barrel of my gun close to my cheek, and suddenly elevating its muzzle when they were in the act of striking, to ascertain whether they had the power of instantaneously changing the direction of their rapid course, and found they invariably rose above the obstacle with the quickness of thought, showing equal acuteness of vision and power of motion. Although their flight was much more rapid, they bore considerable resemblance to the Snowy Owl.' Another observer of the habits of this species says: 'The command which these birds have in the air is truly wonderful. A few strokes of their powerful wings will send them up till they are hardly visible, or bring them down from the top of their flight to within a short distance of the ground. At times they will ride motionless; and THE PEREGRINE FALCON. 39 anon, with hardly any perceptible motion of their wings, they will start with the rapidity of a meteor, and with greater certainty than an arrow from the bow of a skillful archer. The collision of their pounce is terribly effective. Surprising is the force that can break a wing, strike off a head, or burst a bird asunder, when it is not merely suspended in the air, but in rapid motion away from the striker.' Game and other birds form the chief food of this Falcon, whose name, Gyr, appears to come from the German geyer, 2 vulture. THE PEREGRINE FALCON, variously called the Blue, Grey, or Hunting Hawk (scientific name, Falco peregrinus, the latter word meaning a wanderer), is the species best known. in Britain, where it is extensively distributed, although nowhere very numerous. It ranks next to the one last described for size and spirit; it is equal to it in beauty of 40 NOT A RARE SPECIES. form, and little inferior in strength. Those who train rapacious birds for the chase generally employ this species in hunting the larger kinds of game. The upper parts of its plumage are black, shaded and barred with ashy grey; the under parts are mostly white; the length to the end of the tail is about sixteen inches; the extent of the spread wings about thirty-six inches. This is a shy and vigilant bird, and gives man but few opportunities of shooting it; and it builds in inaccessible places, such as the face of a maritime cliff, or on land precipices. The nest is bulky, the materials varying according to the locality. The eggs are three or four in number, broadly elliptical in form, two inches or more in length, and over one inch and a half in breadth; colour, a dull light red, with darker spots, and patches of the same. The young, which are first covered with a light down, are abundantly fed with feathered game and seafowl until they are able fly. Although unrelenting war has been waged against the Blue Hawk, as this bird is most commonly called, by those interested in the preservation of game, it has not yet become a very rare species with us. It is in the northern and mountainous parts of Britain that we most look for it; on bold headlands, and ranges of cliffs overhanging, or near to, the sea, it chiefly builds: but this choice of breeding localities does not appear to be determined by any liking for fish. It occurs in suitable localities in Ireland, also in Wales; along the coasts of Devonshire, Cornwall, and in the Isle of Wight, we find it. Knox, in his 'Ornithological Rambles in Sussex,' says that a pair of these birds have from time immemorial bred near the summit of one of the highest cliffs at Beachy Head; and although the nest has been frequently robbed of the young ones, and either of the parent birds has occasionally fallen a victim to the trap, yet it is surprising with what pertinacity the position is still held, and the right of tenure kept up by the survivor, who, THE FALCON AND DOVE. 41 in a short time, finds a disengaged partner of the opposite sex, the latter at once entering upon the performance of the duties, as spouse or parent, as the case may be. Great is the consternation caused among the wild fowl, snipes, woodcocks, and other birds, which congregate about the lakes and large ponds in winter, when the Duck Hawk, as this is often called, makes its appearance. Taking up his position on a tall fir-tree, commanding a view of the pond, he selects a victim from the terrified flock, as they fly hurriedly along, dashes after it with incredible swiftness, sweeps it almost from the surface of the water, and disappears with it among the neighbouring reed-beds. Even its congener, the Kestrel, is not safe from the attacks of the fierce Peregrine, to which also the Wood Pigeon, or Dove, often falls a prey -a circumstance alluded to in one of the fables of Florian, which has been thus rendered in 'Tait's Magazine:' A Falcon, ruffling of a timid Dove, They bear my name; but now I conquer, lo! There still are powers that punish!' Would there were!' Sighed the poor victim. Prodigy of crime!' The Hawk exclaimed: 'What, miscreant, dost thou dare To pardon thee; but zeal for truths sublime Here we have the old story of the Wolf and the Lamb in another guise Might assuming the garb of Right, and preaching morality, while acting the robber and assassin. According to Sir John Sebright, the daring of this Falcon has been evinced by his taking up his abode in Westminster Abbey and other churches of London, and making great havock among the tame pigeons. It will also visit the poultry-yard, and destroy even the barn-door fowl. The Golden Plover is a favourite object of pursuit with it, and |