The peregrine falcon ranges naturally over more of the land surface of planet earth than any other species of bird. Its migratory peregrinations carry it from eyries on cliffs in Greenland's icy mountains to winter quarters in Brazil. Its spectacular dives in pusuit of prey have made it the preeminent favorite of both falconers and bird watchers.
In the New York metropolitan area, the peregrine had nested since time immemorial on cliff ledges along the Hudson River Palisades, despite attrition in modern times by egg collectors, falconers, and irresponsible gunners who shot every bird of prey that came within range. |
