NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 75 



I am glad to say, is far from being a scarce species in Sutherland, 

 and seems to be very generally distributed over all the more moun- 

 tainous districts. Some authors assert, without much foundation 

 on fact, that this species breeds by preference, and more frequently, 

 on sea cliffs than on inland ones. When they do breed on the 

 coast it is not generally from choice, but simply because the 

 nature of the inland country does not supply suitable rocks for 

 them to nest upon. I say "generally," because when the 

 Peregrine places his eyrie close to some large colony of Guille- 

 mots and other rock-birds, I believe he has an eye to the 

 stocking of his larder, and is more influenced by the prospects of 

 good living, easily obtained, than hy the extensive sea- view or 

 other amenities of the situation. For one eyrie of the Peregrine 

 found on the coasts of Sutherland, which are admirably adapted for 

 the nesting habits of the species, there are at least three or four on 

 the rocks of the more inland mountains and glens, and this I 

 state, not only from information gleaned from different quarters, 

 but from personal experience of at least one district of consider- 

 able dimensions. In some parts of England, and in other com- 

 paratively level districts, the Peregrine naturally seeks the coast 

 line for suitable cliffs j but that it does so, as a rule, in Scotland, 

 I feel much inclined to doubt. 



This species varies considerably in size in both sexes. I 

 obtained what I considered an exceedingly large female in 1869; 

 but, on forwarding it to Mr Robert Gray, he assured me that it 

 measured two inches less than another female in his possession. 

 I also saw another female the same season, which was shot off 

 her nest. She was a very small bird indeed, though the four 

 eggs were uncommonly large and handsome. They are now in 

 my cabinet, and measure in diametrical length 2 '16 inches, and in 

 breadth 1 '6 inch. I have also seen an egg of the Peregrine, the 

 length of which could not have exceeded the breadth of one of 

 the above, and so was not above the size of an average Kestrel's 

 egg. Others in my possession hold a medium j)lace as regards size 

 between these two extremes. 



With regard to the fact repeatedly taken notice of by ornitho- 

 logists, that if one of a pair of Peregrines or other birds of prey 

 be shot or otherwise destroyed, the remaining bird easily and 

 rapidly obtains another partner, I am inclined to believe that in 

 no case does it do so without first having a severe battle with its 



