6Q GAME PRESERVERS AND BIRD PRESERVERS. 



all round the rock, and they were equally 

 scarce in all that part of the country ; and they 

 had supplied their young so abundantly that 

 many of the birds they had brought them were 

 not half eaten. 



Mr. E. Gray says their favourite food is a 

 snipe. We have never seen one in their nests 

 or near them ; but if they bred near a place 

 where snipes were numerous, and other birds 

 not to be had, no doubt they would take them. 

 Our experience is that five out of six birds 

 they take are grouse or black game if they are 

 to be had in the country. They are the most 

 easily caught and the best eating, so it is only 

 natural they should eat them. They also fre- 

 quently kill birds for sport. The poor gulls, 

 conspicuous in their white plumage, are often 

 struck down and not eaten ; and a shepherd once 

 brought us a kestrel, which he saw a falcon 

 kill without taking the trouble of following it to 

 the ground. 



Some falconers ask. How is it possible for a 



