302 FALCO PEREGRINUS. 



" In May 1889,*" says my son John, " I fell in with a nest of 

 the Peregrine in one of a range of cliffs in the neighbourhood 

 of Tantallon, on a bold headland, the most projecting part of 

 the coast. It M'^as situated on a shelf, at the distance of about 

 forty feet from the base of the cliff, and above it was a precipice 

 of about sixty feet or more. From its situation, owing to a 

 portion of the crag which formed an arch over it, and pre- 

 vented inspection from above, as well as the abruptness of the 

 neighbouring rock, it seemed perfectly secure from all intruders; 

 but from a rock in the sea immediately opposite, a good view 

 of it could be had. It was constructed externally of sticks and 

 sea weeds, which formed a mass about two feet in diameter. 

 The rock around it was profusely covered with white patches of 

 dung. In the course of the same afternoon I saw a fine female 

 Peregrine which had been shot that day by the gamekeeper at 

 Dirleton. I was informed by him that he had killed it at sea 

 close to a small island, nearly opposite North Berwick, on 

 which, as well as on the Bass, a pair annually breed. When 

 killed it had a partridge in its talons." 



" In Shetland," says Mr Dunn, " it selects the most moun- 

 tainous parts, where it can settle on the shelving rocks of the 

 stupendous cliffs, and breed in security in the midst of plenty ; 

 it is rare that more than a single pair have their nest on the 

 same cliff, or even near to each other. I once found two 

 pairs during the breeding season on Noss Head or Hang Cliff; 

 and a better place they could not have chosen, from the secu- 

 rity it affords and the abundance of food which the nests of 

 the sea-birds, abounding in the same rocks, supply them with. 

 During my visits I captured several specimens of the Peregrine 

 Falcon, and also procured some of their eggs. It is a shy bird, 

 and diff.cult to get within shot of. I have repeatedly lain in 

 wait for it on the tops of the cliffs, and observed it flying slowly 

 along the face of the rocks immediately below me, but out of 

 distance, watching the opportunity during the absence of the 

 Herring Gulls and Kittiwakes, to pick a young one from their 

 nests, which it frequently does with great dexterity. I know 

 of no certain method of decoying this bird ; the way in which 

 I obtained my specimens was by first finding out their breed- 



