86 Bird -Lore 



before we heard, off in the distance, a Peregrine calling. The female, at the 

 moment, was sitting in sight on the cedar stub. A Falcon, flying with great 

 speed, was immediately sighted coming up the river. Instantly he was upon 

 us. Calling, he circled in from over the river and perched upon the face of the 

 cliff. If at this time the male had been off hunting, he brought back no food 

 to the aery. 



On May 13, the young birds were still safe and sound, sitting on their shelf 

 of rock. They had not lost their downy coat. But on May 15, we were dis- 

 appointed to find that both young ones had disappeared; the female alone 

 greeted us as she flew from the ledge. She acted greatly disturbed. Two sets 

 of initials were discovered, freshly cut into the rock just above the nest. If 

 those who cut the initials removed the young birds, let us trust that they may 

 return in the years to come and read their inscription in the living rock of the 

 Palisades, a worthy monument to fast-disappearing bird families, particularly 

 the Peregrine Falcon. If such interesting and famed birds, nesting in the 

 New York and New Jersey Interstate Park, are to be exterminated, one of its 

 attractive features will be lost. Soon the rock alone will be left for our descend- 

 ants, as a reminder of the past. 



A momentary glimpse of bygone days was afforded us on May 29, our last 

 visit. The female Falcon, who had been sitting upon her cedar in quiet and 

 solitary grandeur, flew by, uttering a single note. Suddenly, coming down the 

 river directly toward us, we saw a large flock of domestic Pigeons. For the 

 moment they suggested scenes the Palisades must have witnessed in the past, 

 when swarms of Wild Pigeons took the same line of flight. A pair of Phoebes 

 alternated, flying in and out of a deep crevice beneath us, where probably 

 they had a nest. 



Let us hope that no accident will befall the Falcons. Perhaps, another 

 year, they may be successful, and some young Falcons may grow up to 

 replace the old birds when they fall by the wayside. 



