S4 BIRD LIFE IN WILD WALES 



way higher up the rocks, had done this mischief. This 

 nest they had deserted, but lower down the valley we 

 found indications of a fresh eyrie. Pike photographed 

 the first nest, but could not get into position for the 

 eggs as we had no rope with us. Going home we had 

 to wade theT. river. Reached home about 7.30, after 

 a most enjoyable day. We heard a Golden Plover 

 close to L. House, not far from the inn ; so a few have 

 returned to the uplands, it would seem. To-day we 

 saw eight Buzzards. 



March \6th. Watched a Buzzard soar to a great 

 height just outside the inn. Then up to T. dingle, 

 where a pair of Ravens bred last year. The old nest 

 has been blown down this winter, and the birds have 

 deserted the gorge altogether. Then crossing the 

 river we reached the G. valley, where was a very 

 ancient Raven's nest, but no new one. This, how- 

 ever, Pike pictured. Then on to P. quarry and wood, 

 where, early as it was in the season, we noticed some 

 Jackdaws building. " Once upon a time " the Kite 

 bred here regularly, and Pike photographed the re- 

 mains of a very ancient nest in a large oak tree. The 

 Buzzard always breeds here, and the pair in question 

 had even started patching up two of their former 

 homes : one was being lined with mountain grass and 

 fern, the other with grass in a green state and ivy 

 leaves. The former was an enormous structure built 

 in the fork of an oak, the latter was on a ledge of rock 

 at the top of the wood. Just before this Pike had 

 photographed some charming falls, where in some 

 rocks we noticed an old Buzzard's home with two 

 bricks in it, relics of shameful work, probably done 



