204 FALCO TINNUNCULUS. 



London ; and sometimes it nestles in trees, or takes 

 possession of the deserted nest of a crow or a magpie, 

 as is also the case with the sparrow-hawk. But its fa- 

 vourite nestling place is some inaccessible shelf of a 

 rock, whether in the interior, or on the sea-shore, among 

 the ridges of the Grampians, or on the bold headlands 

 of our eastern coast. 



You may imagine yourself with me, on the grassy 

 summit of the rock of Dunottar Castle, where we have 

 arrived by a very steep and dangerous path. But 

 really I am concerned for your safety, as well as my 

 own, and therefore I shall transcribe, from one of my 

 old journals, a narrative of my visit to this celebrated 

 place. 



" Dunnottar Castle, Tuesday 20th April 1819, about 

 5 p. M. — Here I am, sitting on the stair of the great 

 tower. But I am not so much recovered from the tre- 

 pidation which seized me while climbing up the rock, 

 to be able to guide my pen with ease. It is much 

 more difficult to go down a rock than to go up it. 

 However, I must try, for I cannot think of remaining 

 here all night. I have tried the gate, but the lock is so 

 strong and secure, that 1 can neither open nor break it. 



Bervie, 8 o'clock. — I had been told at Stonehaven, 



that, in order to see the ruins, it would be necessary 

 for me to apply to Dr Young for permission ; but that, 

 perhaps, it might not be convenient for him to send a 

 person with me to open the gate. On approaching the 

 rock I found it composed of conglomerate. The gate 

 was shut, but I perceived a sort of path, probably form- 

 ed by the sheep which I saw feeding around, and slant- 

 ing across the face of the rock. So I put off my shoes 



