. Companion to Gould's Handbook; or, Synopsis of the birds of Australia. Containing nearly one-third of the whole, or about 220 examples, for the most part from the original drawings . The food ofthe Peregrine Falcon consists of small animals and birds, especially of the duck tribe, whence its name of the duck hawk in some parts. Itdelights in rocky and precipitous localities, and, from its great strength and daring disposition, is able to cope with prey of much greaterweight than itself. During Captain Sturts residence at the Depot, one was shot in the act of taking a duck from the water in t
. Companion to Gould's Handbook; or, Synopsis of the birds of Australia. Containing nearly one-third of the whole, or about 220 examples, for the most part from the original drawings . The food ofthe Peregrine Falcon consists of small animals and birds, especially of the duck tribe, whence its name of the duck hawk in some parts. Itdelights in rocky and precipitous localities, and, from its great strength and daring disposition, is able to cope with prey of much greaterweight than itself. During Captain Sturts residence at the Depot, one was shot in the act of taking a duck from the water in the glen ; and Mr. White says he saw it strike and break the wing of a large cormorant, and, in spite of its struggling and cries, conduct it to thewaters edge. The sandstone cliffs on the banks of the Murray, and other rocky and inaccessible situations, are chosen for the purpose ofnidification. The nest is rather flat, and formed of sticks, generally placed on the edge of a cliff. It has been known, though rarely, tobuild in trees. The eggs are two in number, of a reddish buff color, thickly blotched and streaked with chestnut brown. vSize, 2 inches 1line, by 1 inch 7t FALCO SUBKIICER i^ALCO SUBiNIGEE. (Black Falco7i.) TuE whole of tlie plumage, dark sooty brown, tlie feathers of the upper surface and wings, margined with a lighter tint; chin, whitish;irides, dark brown ; bill, lead color; cere, yellow ; legs and feet, leaden yellow ; claws black. Expanse of Male, 34 inches ; length, 20 ; wing, 14 ; tail, 9 ; bill, li ; tarsus, 2 ; mid-toe, 2\. The Female is considerably larger, but similar in her coloring. The information respecting this noble species of Falcon is as yet extremely meagre, and from its excessive rarity, it is likelythat a long period may elapse before any definite knowledge is acquired respecting it. It was first recorded by Mr Grould as inhabitingSouth Australia. Captain Sturt met with it at the Depot, when two specimens (a male and female) were procu
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