Page:The Natural History of Ireland vol1.djvu/70

 In December, 1832, one of these birds, which had her liberty there, was observed to fly several times over a pond on which a wild golden-eyed duck (Anas clangula), exhibiting the beautiful plumage of the adult male, had just alighted, and was remarked to keep watch on Mm during the day. At dusk, when wild fowl betake themselves to their feeding haunts, this golden eye depart- ed from the pond, and was perceived by the falcon, which instantly commenced pursuit. After a short chase, she seized and brought him back to the place he had just left, when, by struggling vio- lently, he became disengaged from her grasp, and took refuge in a small and shallow pond. Here again he was persecuted by two persons who had witnessed the above occurrence, and though his wings had not been in the least degree injured, he did not again venture to take flight, but seeking escape only by diving, was eventually captured ; thus affording evidence of the feathered, being more dreaded than the human tyrant.* He was now pin- ioned, and compelled to take up his abode with the other wild- fowl in the aquatic menagerie, a place which, in the unlimited freedom of flight, he had unluckily happened to visit but a few hours before.

Falcons killing each other, &c. — In October, 1833, a female pe- regrine falcon of Mr. Sinclaire's, a bird of that year, and conse- quently but a few months old, having got loose in the hawk-yard, killed a male of her own species, a year or two older than herself. He had the power, too, of moving at least a yard from his block. She had nearly eaten Mm, when the falconer entered the yard to feed them, which he did once daily at a regular hour. TMs female bird was " full fed " the day before, and had never got more than one meal in the day. Montagu relates a similar occurrence in the Supplement to Ms Ornithological Dictionary; and in the latter work, mentions one of Ms sea eagles having eaten the other. About twenty-five years ago, Captain Johnson, of the 1st battalion of the Rifle Brigade, then stationed in the county of Limerick,

Birds of all kinds, when put into cover by peregrine falcons, generally allow them- selves to be captured by man, rather than again venture on wing. Grouse and young black-cocks will do so ; and several partridges out of a covey, under such circumstances, have lain until caught by the dogs.