CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. "J*] 



is pretty generally distributed in the British Islands, 

 being found in suitable localities, i.e., sea cliffs, 

 especially also cliffs on the mountain sides which exist 

 on the south coast of England, west coast of Wales, 

 mainland and west coasts of Scotland, and Ireland. 



The Peregrine probably is, however, more in 

 evidence in Scotland, especially amongst its western 

 islands, than elsewhere in the United Kingdom. 

 In spite of the attention it receives from game- 

 keepers — due to its destructive tendencies — it 

 manages, owing principally, I imagine, to the un- 

 get-at-able position generally selected for the eyrie, 

 to maintain itself fairly well from anything like exterm- 

 ination; this fact, together with fresh stocks of birds 

 that arrive from the Continent during the autumn 

 months, serves to keep the stock up in our islands. 

 Before proceeding to describe the circumstances 

 under which I obtained the specimens in the case, 

 the reader must pardon me if I make some allusion 

 to the sporting hotel and its inmates where I took 

 up my quarters for the time being. 



Being very anxious to obtain this species, and 

 hearing that the Island of Mull would be likely 

 ground, I obtained a sort of introduction to the 

 Duke of Argyle's keeper, whom I found to be a 

 most civil and obliging man, and very pleased that 

 I should assist him in destroying the nest of a bird 

 that was so detrimental to the preservation of Grouse 

 on the moor. Taking steamer one fine morning I 

 landed at Salen Hotel, which is beautifully situated 

 on the Sound of Mull, and about lo miles from 



