64: 
that of the first. The nest was placed on a solitary tree in 
close proximity to which, there was a little corn growing ; but 
the general character of the surrounding country is that of 
wild undulating moor, with a few shrubs at long intervals, and 
an occasional tree or two. 
“On approaching within about two hundred yards of the 
place, one of the birds flew from the tree in an anxious manner, 
as though leaving the nest, and I was much disappointed at 
not being able to get a shot at it. However, I ascended the 
tree; and when within a few feet of the nest, off flew another 
bird, at which of course I was unable to shoot. I found the 
nest quite finished, but no eggs init. It was about eighteen 
inches in external diameter, neatly put together; and unlike 
most Falcon’s nests, it was by no means flat, but, on the 
contrary, was much hollowed in the middle, in the form of a 
bowl; it was composed of large sticks at the base, the upper 
part being made of smaller and more pliable twigs, and lined 
inside with tender twigs, a little coarse grass, and a few pieces 
of wool interwoven together. 
“On the 12th of April I again paid a visit to this nest; but 
this time I took a friend with me, being determined, if possible, 
to secure one of the birds. We approached very stealthily 
and quietly to within about one hundred and fifty yards of 
the tree, when, as before, one of the parent birds left the tree. 
Being, however, mindful of what happened on my former visit, 
I kept myself in readiness for the other bird. On coming to the 
foot of the tree,we stationed ourselves on either side of it, shouted 
and made a great noise, but all to no purpose; no second -bird 
appeared, nor could I distinguish anything like a bird on the 
nest. I began to think that the birds had been too wise to 
trust again to their former device ; however, to make quite sure 
of the fact before ascending the tree, my friend fired, when to 
-our no little surprise out flew a bird like an arrow; and as it 
came my way, I had the satisfaction of bringing it down. On 
ascending the tree, I found that the nest contamed two eggs, 
which with the female bird I had shot, I brought away with 
me, being well satisfied with the result of my morning’s walk. 
“The eggs are of a slightly elongated oval form, and differ 
from the generality of Falcon’s eggs in being decidedly more 
pointed at the smaller end. The two eggs taken by me from the 
same nest, as before described, are similar in form, but they differ 
much in markings; of one, the ground colour is light red 
covered all over with small spots and blotches of bright red ; the 
blotches being larger and darker at the larger end; the other 
egg has a ground-colour of dirty reddish white, covered with 
