In the Neighbourhood of Salisbury. 101 
and took no notice whatever either of my presence, or my voice. 
The Cathedral tower used at one time to be a favourite place with 
them for devouring their prey, and I have picked up there the re- 
mains of several birds eaten by them: amongst other relics I 
one day discovered a snipe’s leg, and in the adjoining water-meadow 
I have found the reinains of Wild Duck, Partridge, Woodpigeor, 
and Moor-hen, recently killed by them. The workmen also, while 
engaged on the restoration of the spire informed me that they had 
often seen these birds bring up Pigeons and Partridges to devour in 
the same place. A few years ago a friend of mine was shooting on 
the Plain near here, when he was driven by a heavy shower of rain 
to take shelter under a barley-rick. While he was thus patiently 
awaiting the cessation of the rain, he was aroused by a whir of wings 
evidently approaching him; and immediately after a covey of birds . 
shot round the corner of the rick, closely pursued by a fine Falcon, 
which knocked a bird down within forty yards of him, and was 
allowed by him to’carry off its dinner in safety. 
Some few years ago (about 1865) when I was living on Harnham 
Bridge, within the liberty of the Close of Salisbury, I was one day 
attracted by the ery of a Peewit above my head, repeated in a hurried 
and piteous accent many times. On looking up, I saw the Peewit 
and a fine Falcon, climbing the air in first-rate style. When I first 
observed them, the Peewit was by far the highest of thetwo. The 
Peewit labouring with continued efforts, and in small circles to keep 
the upper position ; while the Falcon with bold and confident sweeps 
ascended so quickly and so easily, that it reminded me at the time 
of nothing so much asa person walking up stairs. This scene lasted 
some little time, while the birds, owing to the different size of the 
eircles made by them in their flight, appeared at times to be flying 
exactly in contrary directions. At last the Peregrine succeeded in 
gaining the ascendant, and directly it did so it made its stoop as 
only a Peregrine can (which I may remark has been caleulated to 
reach the amazing rapidity of one hundred and fifty miles an hour, 
or even more). But the Peewit was up to the occasion, and des- 
cended in circular gyrations like a corkscrew; the Falcon following 
3 every turn with wonderful facility, but being unable to strike it. 
