A few adult animals, such as sponges, sea anemones and oysters, sit like plants and wait for their food to come to them. Most animals, however, go after it and this frequently develops lento a speed contest between the hunter and Its prey. However, such speed trials are not run on race tracks or according to any rules of racing. The fox ls able to beat the rabbit on a straight-away, but the rabbit can dodge quicker and gain time by plunging through bushes and briars.
Some animals win by short bursts of speed while others are noted for their endurance.
Accurate records of the speed of animals are rather scarce. The best measurements have been made in recent years by following them with an automobile or airplane and reading a speedometer, or by using movie cameras, stop watches and other devices. In level flight, over a carefully measured two-mile course, in as little as 3Z.8 seconds or 219 Mlles an hour. The European peregrine, a hawk used in falconry, was timed at 165 to 180 mph during its dive after quarry. In level flight, easily overtakes and seizes such swift birds as ducks and pigeons.