1'KIiKGKTNE FALCON.
slinrt distance over llio surface. The Moon bad never, while Id liis sight, either captured or struck any of
these hire's, being possibly unwilling to make the attempt while they were over the water or until they were
well on wing. 1'ywipes (local name for I'eewits) he had seen Uown at on two or three occasions, and a
single bird struck down nnd left. Once in his presence the Hawk had driven down a covey of Partridges
into a dry ditch under a fence ; and from this cover they refused lo emerge while their enemy remained close
at hand. On making further inquiries of another gunner who was working my second boat, I found his
evidence was much the same with regard to the attacks on Coots and Partridges; hut the only lord lie had
seen struck was a Sandy-head Poker (local name for the Pochard), which had risen with a hunch of fourteen
or fifteen others in front of his boat and been knocked down, lie himself had made an attempt to secure it ;
hut, after diving a short distance, it had Buttered into a reed-bed and escaped. The remarks of these two
men concerning the habits of the Peregrine were much what I should have expected from the knowledge
1 have acquired while watching the bird in their district.
I n the matter of food the Falcon accommodates itself lo the locality it inhabits, preying on Grouse, Plover,
Ducks, and Pigeons in the Highlands, sea-birds (such as the smaller Gulls and Guillemots) on the islands, and
Partridges, Pigeons, and even the young of the domestic Fowl in the south. Tins noble bird, however, I am
almost ashamed to state, does not despise an occasional meal nil' such humble fare as a Hook ; and, though
the instances have been far from numerous that have come under my own observation, it will at times even
condescend to make shift with either a Carrion or Grey Crow. For any one to attempt to giro the true bill
of fare of a Peregrine is perfectly impossible, ns on examining a dozen breeding-places there might be found
the rcmnins of different victims on each.
How the existence of such a rapacious species on preserved moors is beneficial to the well-being of the
Grouse, I confess I can scarcely understand. From what I have myself seen I cannot believe that n Falcon
will, as a rule, prey upon diseased or weakly birds (I could credit it of a Buzzard, or even of the Eagle
or Kite); still this is the doctrine that is preached hy many who hare written on the subject. That his
admirers should term him a scavenger is, I consider, a poor compliment to this fine bird : far better to
describe him in his true colours as a hold nnd pitdess marauder, ami trust that British sportsmen have too
great a respect for the few wild creatures left in our islands to order his total extermination. The plea that
some naturalists put forward, via. that the presence of the wild Falcon causes Grouse to lie lo dogs till late in
the season, will not hold good in every case. I have seen some few districts where Peregrines and all kinds of
vermin were abundant enough to suit tin' taste uf even their most anient supporters ; but, strange to relate,
the few Grouse that remained were wilder than even the Hawks themselves. The fact that the artificial Kite
has been invented to aid shooters (I was going to say sportsmen, but I consider my- second thoughts more
appropriate) to make n bag is certainly a strong argument in favour of the presence of Falcons on a moor.
This, however. Is a subject on which I can slate little or nothing f beyond what 1 have read), as I have never
vet seen one of these machines in operation. From what I have heard, this method, if frequently resorted
to, is understood to drive birds from the district; I should be of opinion that too many falcons would
have much the same effect.
I t must 1«> a rare occurrence for the Peregrine to condescend to make a meal off any prey that he has not
procured by his own exertions, as I have never obtained a single spivimen in a baited trap, neither have I
ever heard of but one being taken by keepers in this manner. The captured bird, 1 was informed, had
received some injury to one of its legs, caused probably by a wound from n large shot or bullet. It was in
poor condition; and without doubt its weakness rendered it incapable of obtaining its food in the natural
manner. Some writers affirm that this species will never condescend to lake prey unless it is seized on wing;
this statement, I am afraid, is hardly correct, as on two or three occasions I have noticed unfledged young
brought to their brood.
I'EKEGRINE FALCON. 6
I n parts where they arc numerous I have known this species taken by traps placed on their favourite
resting-places in the faces of cliffs or steep mountain-slopes. Some years ago, I renumber a gamekeeper on
the west coast of the Highlands destroying seven in the course of a few weeks by these means. When' it is
necessary to keep down their numbers on account of their depredations on the game, it is generally found the
safest plan to trap or shoot them at their nesting-quarters.
The situal ions usually chosen for breeding-purpose'! are eit her small shelves or ioeipialit ies in lite 1'aee of
steep rocks, or ledges more or less broken and dillicult of approach among the inland mountains. I have
never examined any eyrie to which access could be gained without the assistance or a rope. In several
different localities it: has been possible lo look down upon the young, and even lo crawl within a short
distance; hut the situation (in every eyrie I visited) has been chosen with due regard to safety. When
these buds resort lo the sea-cliffs, either in the islands or on the coast-line of the mainland, the spot l hey select
is generally even more secure from intrusion, Ihe rocks being of greater altitude and frequently perpendicular,
if not overhanging.
The nest of this species has been minutely described by some authors, who apparently have been misled
by the fact that now and then it appropriates the old nurseries oT Ravens or even Grey Crows. The
Peregrine most commonly lays its eggs upon the rubbish and dust or dried strands of grass that have
accumulated on the ledges it frequents, without the slightest attempt at building.
Those who have kept these falcons in con linemen t could best give information concerning the age at
wInch the mature dress is assumed. My own experience is entirely gained hy ohsen big the habits of tin- hiiils
ill a wild state; and it is seldom possible to obtain a view where all the details or varieties in plumage could
be accurately judged and studied. From the numbers Hint 1 have mel with frequenting certain localities, all
apparently immature, I should he of opinion that they do not pair fill the third or fourth year.
The Plate represents an adult male and the unfledged young. The specimen from which the drawing is
taken was a remarkably shy and wary old bird, whose daring forays on Ihe Grouse had been a source of
trouble to the keepers for many years. Regularly every season the female had been trapped ; and on one
occasion a second and then a third that made her appearance shared the same fate as her predecessors.
Still the male defied all attempts at capture. The eyrie was on a ledge in the bee of a precipice of grey
nnd moss-grown rock about one hundred and fifty feet in height. With but slight assistance from a rope
let down from above it was by no means difficult to reach, as a rough sheep-track led within a few yards of
a large cavity or fissure beneath overhanging slabs of stone, tliat stretched, with the exception of a break of
only four or five feet in width, to the spot where the young were situated. On my first visit, having carefully
watched the arrival of the female, I endeavoured to obtain a shot as she flew off. The work of climbing to the
upper portion of the grassy slope immediately below the ledge (and within a distance of fifty feet) was soon
accomplished; hut, owing to the steepness of the ground, I found the attitude I was forced lo assume fur too
cramped to use a gun with any certainty. The bird, however, totally disregarded all attempts to drive her off;
shouts were or no avail; and it was impossible to pitch up stones, owing to our posit ion immediately below the
spot. At last, while retracing our steps, she glided from the rock, skimming far down into the valley below
before she mounted into the air. Then returning at a considerable height, she remained for at least an hour
flying over our heads, uttering constantly the low scream of rage or anxiety that these birds always give vent
to when their quarters are invaded. She never approached within one hundred yards of where we were
standing; and the male, who shortly after made his appearance, was still more careful. As waiting for the
chance of a shot seemed useless, the ropes were produced; and the ledge was speedily reached. The young w ere
four in number, covered with a thiek white down, and differing hut slightly in size, The three smallest were
taken, and the largest and strongest bird removed a few yards from the open ledge on which they had been
hatched to a spot Ixdow the overhanging rocks, where it was firmly but carefully secured hy a string round the