106 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES. 



But even apart from romantic or sporting asso- 

 ciations, there is an air of independence and 

 an individuality of character about the Falconidce 

 that alone would render the group the most inte- 

 resting of the feathered tribes ; and when, besides 

 all this, we see them, like the aborigines of North 

 America, gradually yielding to the pressure of 

 what is called "civilization," and disappearing 

 from their native woods and mountain fastnesses 

 where a few years since they had it all their 

 own way, as the poor Indians among the prairies 

 of the West, a feeling of pity is superadded to our 

 regard for the persecuted race, and their habits, 

 manners, and even casual appearance, assume in 

 our eyes a twofold interest. 



The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) may 

 be considered rare in Sussex. As we have no in- 

 land precipices, and the coast to the westward of 

 Brighton is generally flat, the favourite haunts 

 of this bird lie to the eastward of that place. A 

 pair have from time immemorial bred near the 

 summit of one of the highest cliffs at Beachy 

 Head, and although the nest has frequently been 

 robbed of the young ones, and either of the parent 

 birds has occasionally fallen a victim to the trap 

 or gun, yet it is surprising with what pertinacity 

 the position is still held, and the right of tenure 

 kept up by the survivor, who in a short time finds 



